When Authority Becomes a Barrier, Not a Bridge

Too often, seniority builds walls instead of bridges.
Corner offices, executive assistants, private meeting rooms, special perks. They signal authority but also create distance.

The outcome?
– Layers of approvals that slow down decisions.
– Teams afraid to speak up, waiting for “top-down” answers.
– Talent attrition, because bureaucracy kills ambition.
– Silos, as people optimize for visibility to leaders instead of impact for customers.

This is how fast-moving startups turn sluggish when authority wrapped in lifestyle suffocates growth.

The fix is simple, but radical:
Decouple authority from lifestyle. Stop signalling power through privilege.
Instead, make accessibility your leadership advantage.

– Walk the floor without an agenda.
– Replace formal reviews with direct Q&As.
– Kill vanity rituals that add no customer value.
– Lead by presence, not by perks.

When teams see leaders as humans, not as layers, they move faster, speak freer, and own outcomes.
That’s when authority fuels growth instead of blocking it.

Question for CXOs and Founders:
What’s one luxury or status symbol you can strip away this quarter to rebuild speed and trust?