Recently, during a leadership team meeting, one person bravely admitted, “I don’t feel comfortable sharing my thoughts in this group.” This was an incredibly powerful and admirable moment of honesty.
Another leader responded in the best possible way: “What kind of environment would you need to feel comfortable speaking up?” This is the kind of leadership we should expect at every level, leaders who not only seek input but also intentionally create conditions where people feel safe, heard, and genuinely empowered to speak.
However, I then interjected and said, “Great question, but it goes much deeper than that. What are you afraid might happen if you do?”
As leaders, we have a responsibility to provide the best environment for ourselves and others to feel comfortable, but it’s those quiet, fear-based beliefs running in the background that people need to bring to light and address. Once identified, that’s when true confidence and clarity can finally emerge.