There’s a particular kind of disgust that comes from cleaning out a bathroom drain, which I had the pleasure of experiencing this weekend.
I have two teenage daughters with long, curly hair. Despite new drain stoppers and persistent fussing, the drains still clog. Every few months, water backs up. Drano wasn’t cutting it anymore.
Wading through muck with rubber gloves on wasn’t how I planned to spend my Saturday morning. My inner monologue was loud: ‘Why am I the one doing this?’ ‘They should be here helping.’ The mental loop was strong.
And then I fixed it. Once the drain was cleared, the water flowed effortlessly.
No resistance.
You wouldn’t have known there had been a problem.
And it struck me how often this mirrors our experience at work.
The truth?
A lot of what creates dysfunction in the workplace is built-up muck and debris:
Unspoken frustrations, unclear expectations, unresolved tension.
Sometimes we think we’ve handled it, “We talked about that in the retreat!”, but the build-up continues below the surface.
Eventually, it slows everything down.
The fix isn’t usually glamorous. And it’s not always fair.
Often, the people who created the mess aren’t the ones cleaning it up. But in work, families, and life, sometimes you have to step up and make what’s wrong right.
If you’re the one who’s hit your limit, who is tired of the slow drain, then you’re likely the one who will take action.
The opportunity
Clear communication, clear expectations, and clear relationships don’t just happen. They require effort and maintenance.
They require people who are willing to do the real work, even if it’s uncomfortable.
So here’s the question I’ll leave you with:
Where in your team or organization has the “drain” gotten slow? What would it look like to clear it instead of managing around it?
You don’t have to do it alone.
But it does need to get done.
If you’re managing around a slow drain, unspoken tension, unclear roles, or conflict that’s festering –
Join me for a live Q&A conversation on Tuesday, August 19th at 12:30pm ET about how to Manage Well Without Losing Yourself.
We’ll talk honestly about conflict, feedback, and leadership fatigue. We’ll discuss what to do when you feel like you’re the one holding it all together.
Real-time support on navigating tension, staying grounded, and leading with care
Bring your questions or submit one anonymously when you register.
This session is for people who are ready to lead better, even in the mess.
