Managers: Amazing Leadership Requires Openness To Feedback

When you lead, do you also listen? Do you consult your team? Do you curate trusted advisors and look to them for guidance in the face of a difficult decision?

I was watching the news, and one of the United States generals was asked to comment on why Ukraine has fared better than expected in the war with Russia. There were several reasons, but the one that stuck with me was that Putin’s inner circle, including his generals, never differ from him out of fear. While this type of leader operates at a level that most of us will never encounter, there is a takeaway for everyone.

As a leader, you want to surround yourself with people who have your back and give honest feedback. This requires a level of trust, respect, and confidence we can develop as leaders. Having this type of dialogue elevates everyone’s performance. The general went on to say that if you don’t have people on your staff who disagree and challenge you, you need to make changes to your team. I would add that if you are not asking for their input, then you need to change.

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