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When Sarah was promoted to team leader, she was thrilled. Six months later, she was exhausted. 'If I'm direct, I'm told I'm too aggressive,' she explained. 'If I'm collaborative, I'm seen as indecisive. I feel like I can't win.' Sarah had discovered what researchers call the 'double bind' - a leadership paradox that disproportionately affects women. Understanding this phenomenon can help you navigate it more effectively. What the Research Shows Studies from the Australian Hum

There's a peculiar phenomenon in Australian workplaces where new managers - particularly women - adopt what I call 'apologetic leadership'. You've seen it: 'Sorry to bother you, but would you mind terribly doing that report we discussed?' or 'I hate to be a pain, but could you possibly meet the deadline we agreed on last week?' Here's the uncomfortable truth: when you apologise for managing, you're not being nice. You're undermining your authority and, frankly, confusing your