Address a Brilliant but Toxic Director

Situation Briefing

You are the CHRO. Sarah is a Director of Product who is technically brilliant: she shipped the company's most successful product last year. However, three high-performers have quit her team in six months, all citing her management style. She micromanages, takes credit for others' work, and has been described as "emotionally volatile" in 360 reviews. The CEO considers her irreplaceable. You need to address the pattern without losing her.

Your Objectives

• 1

  Make Sarah aware of the impact of her behavior

• 2

  Get her to acknowledge the pattern, not just individual incidents

• 3

  Secure commitment to specific behavioral changes

• 4

  Position coaching or development as the path forward