Allies, Not Subordinates: Lead with them, not above them—you’ll earn their loyalty and avoid the sting of ‘friendly fire’!
You’re Not a Superhero—You’re a Squad Leader in Spandex
Leadership isn’t about barking orders from a rooftop while your cape flaps in the wind. It’s about jumping into the trenches with your team—and maybe passing the snacks before someone stages a snack mutiny.
This quote? A mic-drop for every leader who’s ever mistaken “I’m in charge” for “I’m above you.” Let’s unpack this leadership lunchbox—with extra sauce and zero side-eye.
The Myth of “Top-Down” Greatness
Ever had a boss who thought “asserting dominance” was part of the job description?
Meet Clarabelle Groove: smart, driven, and always one espresso away from a TED Talk. She ran her team like a general on a mission—solo decisions, barking updates, and wondering why everyone started calling in “existential.”
Newsflash: no one likes being bossed. They like being valued. When a leader climbs the ladder and yanks it up behind them, the team doesn’t follow—they scatter. Usually with pitchforks. Or at least, passive-aggressive emojis.
Lead With, Not Over
Now meet Todd. Marketing manager. Dry sense of humor. Closet Lego nerd.
Todd sat with his team in brainstorms. Let others lead a client pitch. Tossed around wild ideas without worrying who got credit.
Result? A loyal, creative, all-in team that crushed deadlines and brought snacks.
Todd didn’t lead with power—he led with presence. And that’s real influence.
Friendly Fire Isn’t So Friendly
Ever been blindsided by “constructive feedback” that felt more like a betrayal than a boost?
That’s workplace friendly fire. It happens when people feel steamrolled, shut down, or invisible—then pretend everything’s fine… while plotting your professional demise over lunch.
Avoid it by listening like it’s your superpower. Invite input. Empower decisions. Don’t just assign—align.
When people feel heard, they fight for you, not against you.
Loyalty is Built in the Mud, Not the Throne Room
No one remembers your PowerPoint transitions. But they will remember the night you stayed late to rewrite that deck—or said, “Let’s fix this together.”
True allies don’t need orders. They need ownership. And a leader who’s not afraid to get mud on their boots—and maybe glitter in their coffee.
✍️ Note to Self: Real leaders don’t lead from pedestals—they build trust in the trenches, one empowered teammate at a time.
Your Move, Leader
Pick one person on your team today and ask, “How can I better support you?”—then actually do it.
Because loyalty, creativity, and connection? They don’t come from titles.
They come from you.
AI Sidekick Alert: Today’s Quote was unpacked and shaped with more than a little help from my brilliant, behind-the-scenes AI tools.
About Tony
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Tony Brigmon | Speaker—Emcee | TonyBrigmon.com
Tony Brigmon is a party animal. He’s been known to stay up well past nine o’clock drinking root beer and telling G-rated jokes. Sure, the neighbors complain, but that doesn’t stop him. Because Tony is serious about having fun. Serious fun, with serious results.
As a result of his questionable spelling skills, Tony learned at an early age that his name spelled backward is “YNOT.” As in, “YNOT take a closer look at his book?” Or “YNOT smile when you should be crying?”
Tony was a Southwest Airlines “Insider” and the former “face” of their renowned culture as their official “Ambassador of Fun”. At Southwest Airlines, “fun” was the power of “positivity” that helped catapult a small carrier into a force that changed the airline industry.
Today, Tony is a popular speaker, emcee, and author of The FUNomenal™ Workplace. (FUNomenal™ is pronounced the same as phenomenal but it’s a lot more FUN.)
Former CEO of Southwest Airlines Howard Putnam says: “Tony has a gift for blending fun and capturing ideas in a manner that sticks for audiences.” Tony’s friends say that no one should have so much fun while sober. Tony’s wife said she has had about all the cheerfulness she can stand.
“Fun” transformed this author’s work and life. YNOT discover if the serious power of fun can transform the next 30 seconds of your day or 30 years of your life?
YNOT arrange to have Tony Brigmon teach you and your team how the power of fun can help you get more done, bring out the best in everyone, and make you irresistibly attractive in your communication with others. You can do this. So, YNOT?
