Exceptional Leadership
The weekly podcast for Emerging Leaders everywhere, this show will arm you with the knowledge you need to ensure you too can lead in an exceptional manner.
Mathew is an experienced people leader and holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.
Exceptional Leadership
#41 When Employees Bypass the Chain of Command
In this episode of The Exceptional Leadership Podcast, we dive into a common but complex workplace challenge: when an employee skips their direct supervisor and takes a complaint or concern straight to the next level.
I share a personal example of a time I did this myself — not out of strategy, but driven by fear, uncertainty, and a lack of trust. It’s a reminder that bypassing the chain of command often reveals deeper issues around psychological safety and leadership gaps.
From a leader’s perspective, what should you do when someone comes to you about their manager? This episode explores why nuance and critical thinking are essential. I discuss how to identify whether the employee’s action is justified or if they are undermining their supervisor — and how to respond accordingly.
You’ll learn:
- How to approach these situations with emotional intelligence
- When to have a coaching conversation with the supervisor
- When to initiate a performance management process with the employee
Whether you’re a frontline manager or a second-line leader, this episode will sharpen your instincts and help you lead with both clarity and compassion.
🎧 Tune in to strengthen your leadership in moments that test your judgment.
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Mathew Hamilton leads a high performing team of professionals and has worked across numerous industries in both the public and private sector.
He holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.