#41 When Employees Bypass the Chain of Command

Send us a textIn this episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, we dive into a common but complex workplace challenge: when an employee skips their direct supervisor and takes a complaint or concern straight to the next level.I share a personal example of a time I did this myself — not out of strategy, but driven by fear, uncertainty, and a lack of trust. It’s a reminder that bypassing the chain of command often reveals deeper issues around psychological safety and leadership gaps.From a leader’s perspective, what should you do when someone comes to you about their manager? This episode explores why nuance and critical thinking are essential. I discuss how to identify whether the employee’s action is justified or if they are undermining their supervisor — and how to respond accordingly.You’ll learn:How to approach these situations with emotional intelligenceWhen to have a coaching conversation with the supervisorWhen to initiate a performance management process with the employeeWhether you’re a frontline manager or a second-line leader, this episode will sharpen your instincts and help you lead with both clarity and compassion.🎧 Tune in to strengthen your leadership in moments that test your judgment.🔗Links to Socials: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/exceptional_leadership_podcast?igsh=MXh0bWk1ZGgyMXduaA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1Adr7WJa8o/?mibextid=wwXIfr LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-hamilton-35a392ba?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app YouTube https://youtube.com/@exceptionalleadershippodcast?si=pYEO5MjAJ4xwV-6v Mathew Hamilton leads a high performing team of professionals and has worked across numerous industries in both the public and private sector. He holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.