What Bad Bosses and Texas THC Laws Have in Common
- Jun 30
- 2 min read
(And Why Austin Deserves Better Leadership)
This week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a bill that would’ve legalized THC-infused edibles. His reasoning? It “goes too far.” Meanwhile, in Austin — the startup capital of the South — where wellness bars are replacing boardrooms and stress gummies are practically a networking accessory, the reaction was swift:
“Out of touch. Overreaching. Control for the sake of control.”
And honestly? That reaction doesn’t just apply to cannabis policy. It applies to the way far too many leaders still run their teams.
This Isn’t About Edibles. It’s About Control Culture.
We’ve all worked for them; leaders who micromanage everything from your deadlines to your desktop background.They want high-performing teams, but they don’t trust anyone to think for themselves.They talk about innovation, but everything has to be approved, sanitized, and double-checked.
Sound familiar?
Whether it’s a state policy or a Slack message, control masquerading as leadership is what’s quietly killing momentum in workplaces, communities, and creative ecosystems.
And let’s be real: Austin’s energy; the co-working spaces, the grassroots meetups, the digital nomad culture — thrives on freedom, autonomy, and experimentation.Not gatekeeping.
Why This Matters to Leaders (And Not Just Lawmakers)
Leadership isn’t about keeping people in line. It’s about helping them rise.
When you build cultures based on fear, surveillance, or outdated hierarchy, here’s what actually happens:
People shrink instead of speak.
Ideas die in meetings that feel like interrogations.
Innovation is outsourced because your team is too scared to take risks.
If you’ve ever wondered why your “brilliant hires” aren’t bringing their A-game, check the culture.Check the trust.Check the vibe.
What T4L Teaches Instead
At Transformation Leader (T4L), we believe the future of leadership is co-created. Not controlled.That’s why our courses, like How to Thrive in a Toxic Workplace and The Art of Connection — don’t just hand you theories.They teach you:
How to lead without fear tactics
How to connect without hierarchy
How to grow influence without playing power games
We’re not building courses.We’re building Tier 100 Leaders — humans who know that soft skills are the real power flex.
Final Thought from Austin (With Love)
Austin has always been weird. And free. And bold. It’s why we love it.But if leadership here starts to look like outdated control culture…then we’re just dressing up dysfunction in Patagonia vests.
Let’s build something better, something human.
P.S. Whether you’re leading a business or building your next bold move, remember:You don’t have to control people to create impact. You just have to lead like you trust them.
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