Phrase: What does “A fish always rots from the head down” mean?
Definition: When something fails, it is the leadership that is the root cause. If the top of the organization is not functioning properly, then the bad practices filter down.
This phrase was presented yesterday in a Sage Learning Event by Scott deMoulin of Destiny Training Systems. He was discussing assignments where his team was engaged to train employees of companies and improve their performance. He said that when the training was not working because of the capabilities of the people he was working with, he would request a meeting with the senior leadership. It became clear after meeting with the C suite in these companies that the organization was challenged at the top and that the real training needed to happen with the leadership.  Last evening, 60-plus people joined us to learn from Scott. What was consistent about all of these C-level leaders is that they took several hours out of their day to improve themselves as leaders.
What did you do this week to improve as a leader?
Weekly Wisdom by Jerry Rollins, CEO of Sage Executive Group