Iatrogenesis: The Unintentional Plot Twist in Leadership!
This June, as I celebrate my 11-year milestone in the IT industry, I wanted to reflect on the profound power of our words and actions in leadership.
Recently, my colleague @Imran Parvez at Atlassian wrote an internal blog to celebrate his 9-year anniversary at Atlassian and he introduced the term “Iatrogenesis.
In his words:
“Iatrogenesis (first, do no harm) is an issue that leaders must recognize. The words you choose during a design review, a one-on-one meeting, or even casual conversations carry significant weight and can have unintended consequences.”
That resonated deeply with me — so, true to habit, I asked AI to help unpack “Iatrogenesis” in the context of leadership. (If it can help me choose between a salad and a burger, surely it can help navigate leadership complexities, right? 😉)
What is Iatrogenesis?
- Origin: Greek “iatros” (healer) + “genesis” (origin), originally referring to harm from medical care.
- In leadership: Well-meaning interventions that inadvertently create new problems or worsen existing ones.
My Reflections:
- The Pitfalls of Overthinking
“Why haven’t you looked into these changes?” → Spent hours on a deep dive, only to learn a quick summary was all that was needed. - Brainstorm Paralysis
“What are other companies doing?” → Delivered a comprehensive report, when a few bullet points would have sufficed. - How Words Can Wound:
- “What does a PM do besides write slides?”
- “Is an app without data even an app?”
- “Why invest time in UX for discovery?”
-> Even innocent-sounding questions can erode confidence, cast doubt on expertise, and leave a lasting sting.
I’ve also caught myself with phrases like “Honestly, I don’t know” or “If you ask me,” unintentionally shifting responsibility.
Why share this now?
I’m grateful for 11 years of growth, mentors who challenged me, and teams who taught me that empathy and clarity are as critical as technical skills. As Richard Powers writes in The Overstory:
The best argument in the world won’t change a person’s mind. The only thing that can do that is a good story.
And what do all good stories do?
They turn you into something you weren’t.”
So here’s mine: pause and reflect on your own “Iatrogenesis” moments. How can we choose our words and actions to uplift, rather than inadvertently hold back? I’d love to hear your stories and thoughts below!
Image: Generated with Midjourney AI
#11YearsInTech #Leadership #Iatrogenesis #Atlassian #Reflection
