Being the kind of leader around whom people can speak rather than whisper is hard to pull off. People are always talking amongst each other, it’s just a matter of how loudly, how honestly and openly.
I mean no judgment, either on leaders or those they lead. There’s just something in the power dynamic that is intimidating. Whether people are saying something favorable or contrary, there’s at least an unconscious concern for how the leader might respond.
This is the water we swim in. If nothing else, have grace for all the other fish.
A leader is someone who creates an environment. It can be one of fear and distrust, or it can be one of safety and candor. Left alone, the first will almost always happen automatically. The second requires intentional hard work.
