Episode 511 The Hidden Reward Behind Bad Leadership

Healthcare leaders often recognize behaviors they need to change. They know they should delegate more effectively, address performance issues sooner, and give their teams greater ownership.

But why do they continue repeating behaviors they know may be hurting their teams?

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, Mike Harbour explores why ineffective leadership habits persist, even when leaders understand their long-term consequences.

Mike shares the story of a highly capable charge nurse who consistently steps in to solve problems for her team. While her actions provide immediate relief and a sense of control, they gradually create dependency, increase her workload, and limit her employees' development.

Drawing from Charles Duhigg's cue–routine–reward model, Mike explains how leadership behaviors become reinforced by the immediate benefits they provide, even when those same behaviors create long-term organizational challenges.

Cue → Routine → Reward

Mike connects this model to the Harbour Performance Equation, demonstrating how repeated leadership behaviors become habits that influence team expectations, organizational culture, and ultimately performance outcomes.

Thinking → Behaviors → Habits → Culture → Outcomes

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why ineffective leadership behaviors can persist even when leaders recognize the need for change.
• How the cue–routine–reward loop reinforces familiar leadership habits.
• Why rescuing employees, avoiding difficult conversations, and controlling decisions can feel rewarding in the moment.
• How immediate rewards like relief, control, and comfort can create long-term costs for team development and accountability.
• How to identify the triggers, observable behaviors, and hidden rewards that keep an unwanted leadership habit in place.

Here's the challenge: Identify one leadership behavior you want to change. What typically triggers that behavior? What do you do in response? And most importantly, what immediate reward are you receiving from it?

Because sometimes the behaviors that feel most helpful or productive in the moment are the very ones preventing our people and organizations from moving forward.

If you found this episode valuable, share it with your executive team and another healthcare leader responsible for developing leaders and improving organizational performance.

To continue the conversation or learn how Harbour Resources helps healthcare organizations develop, reinforce, and measure the leadership behaviors that drive stronger culture and sustainable results, reach out to Mike at Mike@harbourresources.com.