8. Withholding Emotional Commitment

The symptoms: Complying and going along with a decision, resisting change and withholding support, withdrawing your passion and enthusiasm, agreeing intellectually but not committing emotionally, going through the motions.

Why it's damaging: Leaders who are not transparent are viewed as disingenuous, disengaged, and inauthentic. When you withhold your emotional commitment you separate yourself from others and they notice it. Your behavior slows or stops change. If you are not committed, why should they be?

What to do: When you are unable to fully commit, communicate and share where you are stuck instead of letting your behavior do the talking. Make a clear and direct request to the appropriate person for what you need in order to commit intellectually and emotionally.