March 3, 2025 • 8 mins
In this Power Moves and Leadership Lessons episode of Making Maverick Moves, we tackle a harsh reality - "Mean Girls" don't make leaders. In the boardroom, the breakroom, or behind closed doors, toxic behavior undermines trust, stifles innovation, and holds everyone back. Real leadership isn't about tearing others down; it's about lifting them up. Join Gina as she breaks down the difference between power and influence, explores why true leaders reject the mean-girl mentality, and shares strategies for fostering a culture of collaboration, courage, and respect. If you've ever dealt with a mean girl in the workplace, this episode is for you.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to Making Maverick Moves, theshow where we celebrate the bold, the
unconventional, and those who dare todefy the odds to make a real impact.
I'm Janelle Osbourne, and here we domore than just tell inspiring stories.
Yes, we interview trailblazers whohave made maverick moves, and we'll
(00:20):
also bring in experts who willhelp us get to the point where we
can make our own maverick moves.
But while we're on that journey, I'llbe sharing power moves and leadership
lessons to empower and educate us all tobe better leaders so that when the time
comes, we're ready to take the leap.
Today, we're talking about leadership.
(00:42):
Real leadership.
Not power plays, not office politics,not the toxic mean girl gang mentality
that turns workplaces into battlefields.
We're talking about what it means tolead with purpose and integrity while
taking care of those coming up behind us.
Because real Mavericks don't climb alone.
(01:03):
We lift as we rise.
Last year, I wrote an article thatcreated quite a buzz on LinkedIn.
It was called, Mean Girls Aren't Leaders.
The workplace culture shouldnever be a battlefield.
So, I'll share some thoughts onthis today, keeping in mind that
it takes a maverick move to stompout a toxic work environment.
(01:27):
Let's be honest.
Some workplaces feel more likebattlegrounds than places of innovation.
I saw it firsthand at a previousagency where a small, toxic clique
was more concerned with protectingtheir turf than advancing the mission.
If you weren't in the gang, you weresidelined, manipulated, and gaslit.
(01:49):
And the worst part, the culture wasn'tabout excellence, it was about survival.
Instead of fostering new ideas,people walked on eggshells,
bracing for the next attack.
I recently spoke with a formercolleague from that same agency who
told me that she had had enough.
She described the workplace asbeing ruled by a mean girl gang.
(02:11):
And I knew exactly what she meant.
I had lived it, but hearing her wordshit differently because at that moment, I
was reflecting on the kind of leadershipI had the privilege of experiencing
during my Army and FBI careers.
The contrast couldn't be clearer.
Just days before that conversation withmy former colleague, I was caring for my
(02:33):
retired Army mentor after her surgery.
I met her in 1991 when I was ayoung staff sergeant and she was a
chief warrant officer leading a highprofile espionage investigation.
She commanded with quiet strength,no manipulation, no intimidation,
just pure unshakable leadership.
(02:54):
And the respect she commanded, she earnedit through integrity, competence, and
the ability to empower those around her.
She enlisted in the Women's Army Corpsin the 1970s, back when leadership
opportunities for women were scarce.
But she didn't just breakbarriers, she obliterated them.
(03:16):
She led with grace, power, andthe understanding that true
leadership isn't about control.
It's about creating an environmentwhere people can thrive.
If that wasn't enough of an example,before her surgery, my mentor introduced
me to one of her closest friends, oneof the first female army paratroopers.
(03:36):
They've been friends for decades.
When the paratrooper developed dementia,My mentor did what true leaders do.
She stepped up.
She moved her friend across the country,found her a beautiful memory care
facility, and now cares for her daily.
And let me tell you, this paratrooper?
She's still a maverick.
(03:57):
She's out there taking care of oneof her neighbor's dogs who goes out
with her every day when she walks.
That's what sisterhood looks like.
That's what real leadership is about.
Back in the day, there weren'tmany women in leadership roles.
So when we found eachother, we held on tight.
It wasn't about outshining one another.
(04:17):
It was about making surenone of us dimmed our lights.
We understood something theMean Girl Gang never will.
True leadership isn't about exclusion.
It's about lifting others, creatingopportunities, and leaving the ladder
down so the next person can climb.
When I told my former colleague thisstory, she half jokingly asked if
(04:40):
my gang was accepting new members.
And you know what?
We are.
There's always room in thiscircle for anyone who leads with
strength, courage, and solidarity.
So, as leaders, how do we take a stand?
How do we transform toxic workplacesinto places of real leadership?
(05:00):
If you're ready to make a maverick move,here are seven ways to build a culture
that empowers rather than destroys.
Celebrate each other's wins.
Success isn't a pie with limited slices.
There's enough for everyone.
Recognize and amplify theachievements of the people around you.
(05:20):
Next, create safe spacesfor open dialogue.
People thrive when they feel heard.
Encourage open, honest conversationswithout fear of judgment or punishment.
Choose mentorship over competition.
Be the mentor you wish you had.
Share knowledge.
Offer guidance and helpyour colleagues grow.
(05:43):
Stand up for each other.
Toxic cultures thrive on isolation.
When you see someone beingmistreated, speak up.
Trust your people to make decisions.
Leadership isn't about control.
It's about empowerment.
Give people the freedom to own theirroles and learn from their experiences.
Avoid micromanagement.
(06:04):
Let your troops find their own solutions.
Set the direction, but let yourteam figure out the best path.
That's how innovation happens.
And last, fosterinclusivity, not exclusivity.
Real strength comes from diversity.
Open the circle.
Invite new voices.
Again, lift as you rise.
(06:25):
At the end of the day,leadership is about impact.
It's about leaving a legacy ofempowerment, not destruction.
As Margaret Thatcher famously said,Being powerful is like being a lady.
If you have to tell peopleyou are, you aren't.
True power doesn't comefrom tearing others down, it
comes from lifting others up.
And if that's the kind of leaderyou are, or the kind you aspire to
(06:48):
be, then welcome to Team Maverick.
Thank you for joining me on thisepisode of Making Maverick Moves.
If you found this message valuable, shareit with someone who needs to hear it.
And if you haven't already,Subscribe to the podcast so you
never miss an episode until nexttime be unapologetically fearless.
(07:14):
Making Maverick Moves with Gina L. Osborneis produced and edited by Lisa Osborne.
Theme music Maverick Heart is byretired IRS Criminal Investigative
Attaché, Clarissa Balmeseda.
Connect with us on socialmedia through GinaLOsborne.
com slash Making Maverick Moves.
(07:34):
And don't miss an episode.
Subscribe to Making Maverick Moveswherever you get your podcasts.
Welcome to Making Maverick Moves, theshow where we celebrate the bold, the
unconventional, and those who dare todefy the odds to make a real impact.
I'm Janelle Osbourne, and here we domore than just tell inspiring stories.
Yes, we interview trailblazers whohave made maverick moves, and we'll
(00:20):
also bring in experts who willhelp us get to the point where we
can make our own maverick moves.
But while we're on that journey, I'llbe sharing power moves and leadership
lessons to empower and educate us all tobe better leaders so that when the time
comes, we're ready to take the leap.
Today, we're talking about leadership.
(00:42):
Real leadership.
Not power plays, not office politics,not the toxic mean girl gang mentality
that turns workplaces into battlefields.
We're talking about what it means tolead with purpose and integrity while
taking care of those coming up behind us.
Because real Mavericks don't climb alone.
(01:03):
We lift as we rise.
Last year, I wrote an article thatcreated quite a buzz on LinkedIn.
It was called, Mean Girls Aren't Leaders.
The workplace culture shouldnever be a battlefield.
So, I'll share some thoughts onthis today, keeping in mind that
it takes a maverick move to stompout a toxic work environment.
(01:27):
Let's be honest.
Some workplaces feel more likebattlegrounds than places of innovation.
I saw it firsthand at a previousagency where a small, toxic clique
was more concerned with protectingtheir turf than advancing the mission.
If you weren't in the gang, you weresidelined, manipulated, and gaslit.
(01:49):
And the worst part, the culture wasn'tabout excellence, it was about survival.
Instead of fostering new ideas,people walked on eggshells,
bracing for the next attack.
I recently spoke with a formercolleague from that same agency who
told me that she had had enough.
She described the workplace asbeing ruled by a mean girl gang.
(02:11):
And I knew exactly what she meant.
I had lived it, but hearing her wordshit differently because at that moment, I
was reflecting on the kind of leadershipI had the privilege of experiencing
during my Army and FBI careers.
The contrast couldn't be clearer.
Just days before that conversation withmy former colleague, I was caring for my
(02:33):
retired Army mentor after her surgery.
I met her in 1991 when I was ayoung staff sergeant and she was a
chief warrant officer leading a highprofile espionage investigation.
She commanded with quiet strength,no manipulation, no intimidation,
just pure unshakable leadership.
(02:54):
And the respect she commanded, she earnedit through integrity, competence, and
the ability to empower those around her.
She enlisted in the Women's Army Corpsin the 1970s, back when leadership
opportunities for women were scarce.
But she didn't just breakbarriers, she obliterated them.
(03:16):
She led with grace, power, andthe understanding that true
leadership isn't about control.
It's about creating an environmentwhere people can thrive.
If that wasn't enough of an example,before her surgery, my mentor introduced
me to one of her closest friends, oneof the first female army paratroopers.
(03:36):
They've been friends for decades.
When the paratrooper developed dementia,My mentor did what true leaders do.
She stepped up.
She moved her friend across the country,found her a beautiful memory care
facility, and now cares for her daily.
And let me tell you, this paratrooper?
She's still a maverick.
(03:57):
She's out there taking care of oneof her neighbor's dogs who goes out
with her every day when she walks.
That's what sisterhood looks like.
That's what real leadership is about.
Back in the day, there weren'tmany women in leadership roles.
So when we found eachother, we held on tight.
It wasn't about outshining one another.
(04:17):
It was about making surenone of us dimmed our lights.
We understood something theMean Girl Gang never will.
True leadership isn't about exclusion.
It's about lifting others, creatingopportunities, and leaving the ladder
down so the next person can climb.
When I told my former colleague thisstory, she half jokingly asked if
(04:40):
my gang was accepting new members.
And you know what?
We are.
There's always room in thiscircle for anyone who leads with
strength, courage, and solidarity.
So, as leaders, how do we take a stand?
How do we transform toxic workplacesinto places of real leadership?
(05:00):
If you're ready to make a maverick move,here are seven ways to build a culture
that empowers rather than destroys.
Celebrate each other's wins.
Success isn't a pie with limited slices.
There's enough for everyone.
Recognize and amplify theachievements of the people around you.
(05:20):
Next, create safe spacesfor open dialogue.
People thrive when they feel heard.
Encourage open, honest conversationswithout fear of judgment or punishment.
Choose mentorship over competition.
Be the mentor you wish you had.
Share knowledge.
Offer guidance and helpyour colleagues grow.
(05:43):
Stand up for each other.
Toxic cultures thrive on isolation.
When you see someone beingmistreated, speak up.
Trust your people to make decisions.
Leadership isn't about control.
It's about empowerment.
Give people the freedom to own theirroles and learn from their experiences.
Avoid micromanagement.
(06:04):
Let your troops find their own solutions.
Set the direction, but let yourteam figure out the best path.
That's how innovation happens.
And last, fosterinclusivity, not exclusivity.
Real strength comes from diversity.
Open the circle.
Invite new voices.
Again, lift as you rise.
(06:25):
At the end of the day,leadership is about impact.
It's about leaving a legacy ofempowerment, not destruction.
As Margaret Thatcher famously said,Being powerful is like being a lady.
If you have to tell peopleyou are, you aren't.
True power doesn't comefrom tearing others down, it
comes from lifting others up.
And if that's the kind of leaderyou are, or the kind you aspire to
(06:48):
be, then welcome to Team Maverick.
Thank you for joining me on thisepisode of Making Maverick Moves.
If you found this message valuable, shareit with someone who needs to hear it.
And if you haven't already,Subscribe to the podcast so you
never miss an episode until nexttime be unapologetically fearless.
(07:14):
Making Maverick Moves with Gina L. Osborneis produced and edited by Lisa Osborne.
Theme music Maverick Heart is byretired IRS Criminal Investigative
Attaché, Clarissa Balmeseda.
Connect with us on socialmedia through GinaLOsborne.
com slash Making Maverick Moves.
(07:34):
And don't miss an episode.
Subscribe to Making Maverick Moveswherever you get your podcasts.
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