264 - The Fish Starts Smelling From Its Head
In this episode of The Daily Hint, learn how leadership at the top influences the entire organization. Discover why true leadership is essential for success and how poor management can negatively impact company culture and growth.
I help you get promoted with a 20-50% salary increase for free.
Join the free Rising Stars Community
The Fish Starts Smelling From Its Head
In this episode of The Daily Hint, we explore a popular German saying: “The fish starts smelling from its head.” This metaphor perfectly describes how leadership issues in an organization often stem from the top.
Leadership is more than just managing—it’s about enabling growth, guiding teams, and shaping a thriving company culture. When those in top management roles fail to step up as leaders, the entire organization suffers. Jens highlights that many businesses fall into this trap, especially when management changes result in leaders who don’t prioritize empowering their teams.
A misaligned management team doesn’t just affect operations; it also shapes the culture of the organization. And when the culture weakens, business performance inevitably declines. Jens points out that organizations need leaders, not just managers. Leadership is about enabling others to reach their potential, which in turn helps the entire organization thrive.
Key Takeaways:
Leadership problems often start at the top.
Managers who don’t lead can hold back organizational growth.
Company culture and leadership are deeply connected.
True leadership is about empowering and enabling teams.
Tune in to this episode to learn why leadership that empowers is crucial for long-term business success.
Highlights:
00:00 Introduction: The Fish Starts Smelling from Its Head
00:05 The Role of Leaders vs. Managers
00:35 Impact of Management on Organizational Culture
00:46 Conclusion: Be a Leader, Not a Smelly Fish
Links:
===========================
Equipment and Software that I use for my Videos and Podcasts!
Jens Equipment and Software overview: https://www.jensheitland.com/equipment
===========================
Books that I read and recommend.
My Book Recommendations: https://www.jensheitland.com/books
===========================
Here are the ways to work with me:
Speaking: https://www.jensheitland.com/speaking
Leadership Skills Assessment: https://www.wearesucceed.com/
===========================
Connect with me!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jensheitland/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JensHeitlandofficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jensheitland/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jensheitland
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jensheitland
Newsletter: https://www.jensheitland.com/newsletter
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to The Jens Heitland Show Podcast HERE:
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjuSGi1feauCNSER3IKuGWg
Web: https://www.jensheitland.com/podcasthome
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jens-heitland-show-human-innovation/id1545043872?uo=4
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7H0GWMGVALyXnnmstYA1NL
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to The Daily Hint with Jens Heitland Podcast HERE:
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2tLdutVh6b6nCBgWQ817eQ
Web: https://www.jensheitland.com/the-daily-hint
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily-hint-with-jens-heitland/id1722930497
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4T02uYPvcOrajPC6FgH64r?si=8aab1e7683204160&nd=1&dlsi=0f69c72af017454a
Transcript:
The fish starts smelling from its head. That's a German saying. And it's so true. If you look at organizations, the biggest problem organizations have are leaders that are just managers that are not leaders. They're not stepping up and enabling people to grow and enabling people to be led in a way that the organization is thriving.
If the management team and the managers in the organization that are on top are not capable of leading, the organization will fail sooner or later. And that's so true. You see this in a lot of organizations.
They have been on top and they changed management teams and then they get problems because the management team is influencing culture and culture is influencing the business. Be a and don't start to smell.