The unknowing ways your leadership might be diminishing your team
The unknowing ways your leadership might be diminishing your team
Is your leadership unknowingly diminishing the team?
Most CEOs correctly see their team’s diversity of ideas as an asset for innovating and growing their business while struggling to cultivate this coveted culture of openness. In a previous blog, we covered the characteristics of a diminishing vs multiplier leader. It is, however, impossible to label people and pure archetypes only exist in theory. In reality, most CEOs exhibit both multiplying and diminishing traits in their leadership style.
The little nuanced ways leaders can diminish employee input often goes unnoticed by the CEO but are still felt by the team. Many leaders inadvertently discourage open discourse with an “agree/disagree” response. When somebody offers a differing viewpoint, they simply agree or disagree, depending on how it aligns with their opinion. When you set yourself up as some arbiter of truth, people will fear your verdicts.
So, next time you feel compelled to express your disagreement with someone’s perspective, try an alternative responses, such as:
“Thanks for your response! Tell me more about that”
Even if their idea is not implemented, not only did you explore it in depth, you encouraged future employee engagement.
“How did you come to that conclusion?”
You can explore a good idea or expose a bad one by breaking it down in front of the team.
“Thank you, that is a perspective I have not considered and I am grateful you shared it with the team.”
If you disagree with their opinion, you can communicate in a way that encourages input in the future.
“What other alternate viewpoints are there for us to consider?”
If you wish for more employee input, you can always tell them.
Multiplier leaders are not born but made. Deploying these or similar responses create a totally different environment where people feel more comfortable offering up diverse perspectives without a hint of fear, judgment or reprisal. It will be inspiring, uplifting and people will weigh in more. Surprising to most, the flipside comment “I totally agree with that”, can also create some challenges.
Relieve yourself from the burden of weighing in on every comment as it’s not part of your job description. In fact, your role is to be a debate maker. Drawing out diverse opinions from your team and utilising collective intelligence for the best possible decision-making.
Besides, if you have all the answers yourself, why need a team at all? And, given that you have built (and continue to hone) a high-calibre leadership team, how well are you really cultivating alternate opinions and the team superpower of collective intelligence?
How well are you growing your business without the pain?
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Hello, I’m Adam. I believe that we can create incredible companies everywhere, by replacing the fear, doubt, and insecurity typically held AND conveyed by leaders, with authenticity, excitement, deep fulfilment, and an abundance mindset.
Having worked in corporate for over 20 years and made major contributions to some huge successes. I always felt that something was missing…I wasn’t living in line with my purpose.
Visage Growth Partners was born to help others achieve their dreams, the ultimate “pay-it forward”. We help others in order that they can make incredible contributions in their lives and the lives of others - and it’s the most personally and professionally fulfilling life we could lead.
At Visage Growth Partners, we believe a business cannot grow beyond the level of the leadership capability. Whilst we can help you grow your business strategically and operationally, we know that real growth comes from igniting the collective power of your leadership team and empowering the team to work together and inspire real success professionally as well as personally.
It is the magical blend of extensive industry experiences, access to world’s best practices in business growth methodologies, and the ability to engage and support senior leadership teams that has Visage Growth Partners deliver exceptional results for our clients. I look forward to meeting you and hearing more about you and your business and how we can clear the pathway to successful growth for you and your business.