Navigating the Management Mauling

What Is a Management Mauling?

Ever answered a question in a meeting, only to be swamped with a wave of opinions, feedback, and “advice” from all sides? That overwhelming experience is what I call a management mauling.

It starts small—someone asks something, you respond—and before you know it, you’re in the eye of a storm. Everyone jumps in with their take, often feeding off each other’s energy, building an unstoppable wave of commentary. The result? You feel helpless, unheard, and totally overwhelmed.

Why It Matters in Leadership Development

If you haven’t yet been mauled, you might be missing out (said half-jokingly). Because no leadership programme or management training can replicate the reality of being professionally dissected in real-time.

For those managing large-scale projects, it’s not a matter of if, but when you’ll face your first mauling. When it happens, being prepared changes everything. If you can pause, observe, and treat it as a learning opportunity, it becomes one of the most valuable leadership experiences you’ll ever have.

My First Mauling – And the Advice That Saved Me

I once stepped into the lion’s den by leading a high-stakes implementation programme. I knew every decision would be under scrutiny—and sure enough, it was.

Thankfully, earlier in my career, a trusted leader gave me powerful advice:

“Do you make decisions based on data?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“Good. Because how people behave is data. Don’t react—observe. Listen with your eyes and ears. There’s always insight in the chaos.”

That stayed with me. In every mauling since, I’ve chosen to watch rather than react.

The Mauling Unfolds

It all started with a few pre-launch questions from a very senior leader. I calmly answered, and within moments, the room ignited. Ideas, doubts, challenges—all coming thick and fast.

One manager in particular went full throttle. Cold, emotionless, and relentless—offering detached suggestions that lacked any understanding of the real situation. Another just sat quietly, offering no support.

Still, I remembered the advice:

“It’s just data. Make notes.”

So that’s what I did.

What I Observed

1. It Wasn’t About Me

The frenzy wasn’t personal. It was about optics—how it would look if they didn’t challenge, if they stayed quiet, or if the project failed. Their feedback stemmed from their own vulnerabilities.

2.Seeking Approval, Not Clarity

The loudest critic was watching the most senior person in the room for approval. Their motivation wasn’t to help—it was to be seen.

Lessons From the Mauling

Personal Takeaways:

• Improve personal comms with key stakeholders.

• Review message clarity—even when you think it’s clear.

• Don’t shield others at your own expense. I protected others by taking the hit, and maybe that was the wrong move.

Team Dynamics:

• Everyone thinks their idea is the best.

• Once the frenzy starts, no one’s really listening—you must stay grounded.

• Emotion kills logic.

• Most people care, but they’re caught up in their own stress.

  
  

Despite the chaos, 3 out of the 4 managers cared deeply about the outcome. That’s what matters most—they wanted success, even if their delivery was clumsy.

Handling the Unhelpful Critics

That cold-toned manager? I believe they just wanted to be noticed. It’s sad, really—thinking that adding to a mauling makes them appear valuable. In reality, it exposes insecurity.

But I didn’t react. I stayed calm. No facial expressions, no defence, just stillness.

Eventually, they gave up—and I was finally heard.

What If This Was a Leadership Workshop?

The learning from a mauling could be the basis for a world-class leadership development programme. Consider the potential themes:

• Resilience in real-time

• Observational leadership

• Managing emotional triggers

• Coaching through conflict

• Difficult conversations

• Psychological safety

• Communication under pressure

• Managing “shadow” behaviour and perception

External providers should absolutely explore including “management mauling” simulations or reflections in their offering. These are the real leadership moments that define us—not just theoretical frameworks.

Final Thoughts: It’s All Just Data

When you’re in the middle of a management mauling, don’t panic.

Sit back. Breathe. Watch. Learn.

Treat everything you hear and see as data. Use perceptual positioning—step into the third-person view—and extract value from the chaos.

And remember: if you’re being mauled, it probably means you’re leading something important.