As a manager, fostering a culture of psychological safety within your team is one of the most critical aspects of effective leadership. However, a specific challenge can arise when an employee—due to their popularity, tenure, or unique skills—gains disproportionate power within the organization. This imbalance can have a detrimental impact on team dynamics, employee morale, and the overall health of your workplace culture.
A great example of this happened at a hospital in the Northwest US, where a doctor was so popular that he was never questioned – and it ended up being a cautionary tale.