Me and Not for Thee: Management Double Standards

Me and Not for Thee: Management Double Standards

Author: Jacob Stone and Maria Williams March 12, 2026 Duration: 14:48

In the latest The Intentional Workplace episode, Jacob Stone and Maria Williams discuss Management Double Standards - and how small inconsistencies in leadership behavior shape workplace culture.

Most double standards don’t start intentionally.

They show up in small moments:

• Leaders encouraging work-life balance but sending late-night messages

• Employees expected to own mistakes publicly while leaders explain theirs away

• Policies applied strictly to staff, but flexibly to leadership

Over time, these small inconsistencies send a clear message: the rules aren’t the same for everyone. And when that happens, something important begins to fade inside an organization - trust. Culture isn’t defined by the standards leaders set. It’s defined by the standards they consistently follow.

15 Minutes.

2 Experts.

Intentional Work.


Every week, Maria Williams of SaleSmart HR Solutions and Jacob Stone from WorqTap get together for a live conversation that cuts through the noise. Their The Intentional Workplace podcast is built on a simple idea: scaling a company shouldn't mean your culture or your sanity falls apart. Instead of abstract theories, they focus on the tangible, often messy problems that leaders encounter as their teams grow. You’ll hear direct discussions on everything from reshaping talent strategy to implementing HR practices that actually stick, all framed by the latest workplace trends. This isn't about adding more complexity to your day; it's about finding practical clarity. Designed for founders, executives, and HR leaders in the thick of building something, each episode feels like a candid strategy session. Tuning into this podcast means getting actionable insights from two hosts who’ve been in the trenches, helping you build a workplace that works on purpose.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 13

The Intentional Workplace
Podcast Episodes
Hiring For Potential vs Hiring For Experience: What Actually Works [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:20
Hiring for potential works—when you do it on purpose.In this episode of The Intentional Workplace, Jacob Stone and Maria Williams unpack the real difference between betting on potential and hoping it works out. We explor…
Why Fast Hiring Is Usually Bad Hiring [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:19
This week on The Intentional Workplace, Maria and Jacob take on a popular myth: “Fast hiring equals smart hiring.” (Spoiler: it usually doesn’t.)We unpack why moving too quickly often leads to mis-hires instead of moment…