Would you work for a leader who had a poor reputation earlier in their career? 

It’s a loaded question. 

We talk a lot about growth mindsets in leadership. The importance of learning from mistakes. The belief that people can evolve. 

But what happens when that belief is tested in real life? 

Say a leader had a reputation years ago for being ineffective, reactive, or even harmful.  

Maybe they’ve since done the work: taken accountability, invested in their own development, and shown consistent change. 

Would you give them a second chance? 

Leadership is one of the few roles where your past can precede you, loudly.  

But if we say we value growth, doesn’t that have to include everyone? Even the ones who didn’t get it right the first time? 

It’s not about forgetting the past. It’s about discerning whether someone has truly done the work to lead differently today. 

Would you work for a leader with a troubled past… if they’ve owned it and grown?