Lead Like Honey, Not Like Rot

In nature, bees are drawn to nectar and honey—symbols of purity, value, and productivity. Flies, on the other hand, are lured to rot and decay—symbols of disorder and toxicity. Surprisingly, this analogy fits the modern workplace with uncanny precision.

“Bees are attracted to honey, flies are attracted to sore.” In its simplicity, this proverb offers a powerful lens through which to view leadership in the workplace. It implies that what a leader exudes—be it value or dysfunction—ultimately determines what kind of energy, attention, and outcomes they attract. Effective leadership is not merely about authority or strategy; it is about cultivating an inner quality and external presence that draws excellence, just as honey draws bees.

Just like in nature, employees are instinctively drawn to environments and leaders that reflect their values. High-performing, sincere employees—let’s call them “bees”—seek out workplaces rich in integrity, vision, and mutual respect. They thrive under leaders who are transparent, supportive, and focused on long-term growth. In these spaces, bees contribute meaningfully, collaborate openly, and continuously improve by “feeding” on the good leadership around them.

But Not Every Employee is a Bee
There are also “flies”—those who underperform, avoid accountability, or operate through politics. These individuals are often drawn to weak or toxic leadership—leaders who enable favouritism, ambiguity, or manipulation. In such environments, mediocrity spreads. Political games are rewarded, genuine effort is overlooked, and negativity festers.

This dynamic is crucial for leaders to understand. Great leadership isn’t just about tasks—it’s about attraction. The tone set by leadership either draws in the bees or invites the flies. If a workplace becomes infested with dysfunction, it’s usually not because there are too many bad workers—but because leadership allowed the wrong traits to be rewarded.

How Bees and Flies Behave in Organizations:
• Bees (Sincere Employees):
Attracted to clarity, fairness, learning, and growth.
Bond with good leaders and develop positive habits.
Contribute to a healthy, high-performing culture.

• Flies (Toxic or Non-Contributing Employees):
Attracted to loopholes, favouritism, and politics.
Gravitate toward poor leadership that avoids discipline.
Spread negativity and weaken team morale.

Leadership’s Role as the Scent Source:
The character of the leader sets the “scent” in the workplace. Strong, ethical leadership attracts loyal, capable employees. Weak leadership attracts dysfunction. If you lead with purpose and values, you create a culture where bees will stay and thrive.

So how can leaders cultivate the right environment?
1. Lead by Example: Model the values you want in your team.
2. Reward the Right Behaviours: Praise performance, not politics.
3. Create Accountability: Make sure everyone is held to the same standards.
4. Hire for Culture Fit: Skills can be trained—attitudes are harder to fix.

Final Thought:
Your workplace will either smell like honey or like decay. What you put out determines who you attract. Lead with honey, and you’ll build a hive. Lead with sores, and you’ll breed pests.
It’s your culture—choose wisely.