"he [me] understands that everything said here is to be held in professional confidence and that no academic reports he may write will be made public" (personal communication, October 2, 2003), it became obvious that the Leadership style of the Leader was to casually invite members to talk not about their feelings but about their business status and operations and to trust that additional information would reveal itself. She began with an ice-breaker by saying, "How's business?" After brief mutual commiseration about the state of the economy in general, the members began to take turns discussing their concerns.
The way the Leader conducted the session became obvious when one member (partner in hazardous-waste disposal company) expressed scorn for media coverage of business as hating and wanting to exploit employees.
Member #1: They make it like we want to keep people from working. If we could afford it, we'd hire a new driver, but we can't. And if we could we couldn't train him right. And there's a whole bucket of worms.
Leader: Sounds like you're feeling trapped by your financial position.
Member #2 (his partner): We had a truck need a new water pump--that's $500 in new cash right there, the down time for a driver and collector.
Leader: Whoa, cash fading into the margins?
Member #1: "And then the goddamn New York Times gets on our case.
Leader: New York Times out to get you, there, is it? [laughter]
Member #2: No, not really, waste emissions as a whole. [to Member #1] See? I told you you were overreacting. [some laughter]
Leader: Sure sounds like they managed to push your buttons this week.
Member #1: Well, we are in the same industry really.
Leader: I wonder, did I just notice a little difference of opinion?
Member #3 (graphic designer): Well, I heard that.
Leader: Ah, more stress from the New York Times? [laughter]
Member #3: Pushing your buttons. Employees pushing your buttons. Clients. You ...