Can your team tell you what they really think?

I once heard a leader angrily describe their team as being “wrong” for saying they didn’t feel safe to offer feedback, thereby proving that it was not, in fact, safe for the team to offer feedback.

If you think it’s “safe” for your team to deliver tough messages just because you’ve said the words “I’m always open to feedback”, know this:

That doesn’t make it safe.

If your team actually works up the guts to tell you they fear telling you things that may be hard to hear, realise that this dynamic has been in place for a long time before they express it.

  • Do you welcome feedback that affirms how great you are, but erupt at anything else?

  • Have they seen you yell at or otherwise punish people who’ve shared feedback in the past?

  • Have you spoken contemptuously about people who challenged aspects of the team culture?

Most teams won’t tell you they can’t offer you feedback. They’ll keep quiet and then leave for a healthier environment.

And when that happens, you lose.

Instead, be willing to examine what you are doing that makes it unsafe, and change it. Or, don’t. Good luck.

Until next week,
Take care of yourself and others

Madeleine

PS. Haven’t received any feedback lately? There could be a reason for that. If you’re ready to examine what that might be, let me know. Send me a message to enquire, and please share with anyone you think may benefit.

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Madeleine Shawleadership, communication, feedback