When Staff Go Over Your Head: What It Really Means (and How Great Leaders Respond) - Ep. 55

When a staff member goes straight to HR, the union, or higher leadership—without coming to you first—it can feel personal, destabilizing, and deeply discouraging. In this episode, I unpack why staff bypass their leaders, why it’s rarely about disrespect or distrust, and what research on procedural justice reveals about safety, predictability, and escalation in complex healthcare systems. You’ll learn how to respond without defensiveness, how to reduce future bypassing without control or punishment, and how to become the kind of leader people trust as their first stop—even when the conversation is hard. If you’ve ever felt blindsided by an escalation or wondered what it says about your leadership, this episode will give you clarity, language, and a more grounded way forward. Website: maraergaszabari.com Take the quiz to help you move forward with more clarity and confidence in your leadership: healthcareleaderquiz.com