What stood out to me is the difference between having talented people on a team and creating an environment where those people feel comfortable telling the truth.
In my experience, some of the most valuable moments happen when someone is willing to say, “I see it differently,” or “Something isn’t right here.”
That takes trust. And trust doesn’t happen by accident—it is built through the everyday behaviours of leaders.
Great reminder that culture isn’t just what we say we value. It’s what people experience when they speak up.
Thank you Rafael, and I completely agree. I love the way you’ve put this, especially that culture is what people experience when they speak up. You can have brilliant people around the table, but if they don’t feel safe enough to challenge, question or disagree, you lose so much of what makes them brilliant in the first place.
I coach small business owners, and the version of this I see is the owner who asks for the truth and then argues with whoever brings it. It doesn't even have to be harsh just a little defensive every time. People learn that math fast because bad news costs them something while their silence is free and keeps them safe. And the part that stings is the owner usually believes they're approachable. Your third bullet point is the one I'd underline, changing your mind out loud in front of the team. It's the cheapest of the three but it's so hard to do on your own.
Yes!! This is such a good way of putting it. People pick up on that so quickly
And you’re so right that the owner often genuinely believes they’re approachable because they’re asking for honesty. But if every honest answer is met with defensiveness or justification, the team very quickly learns what’s actually safe to say.
Changing your mind out loud is such a powerful one too. Even just saying “you know what, I was wrong about that” can completely change the level of honesty in a team.
Bad leadership will get every company (and the individuals or teams responsible) eventually. This is what the history of modern business (100 plus years) has revealed. The question is do we and the subsequent generations wait patiently for this to unfold or do something about it.
Really enjoyed this, Heather.
What stood out to me is the difference between having talented people on a team and creating an environment where those people feel comfortable telling the truth.
In my experience, some of the most valuable moments happen when someone is willing to say, “I see it differently,” or “Something isn’t right here.”
That takes trust. And trust doesn’t happen by accident—it is built through the everyday behaviours of leaders.
Great reminder that culture isn’t just what we say we value. It’s what people experience when they speak up.
Thank you Rafael, and I completely agree. I love the way you’ve put this, especially that culture is what people experience when they speak up. You can have brilliant people around the table, but if they don’t feel safe enough to challenge, question or disagree, you lose so much of what makes them brilliant in the first place.
I coach small business owners, and the version of this I see is the owner who asks for the truth and then argues with whoever brings it. It doesn't even have to be harsh just a little defensive every time. People learn that math fast because bad news costs them something while their silence is free and keeps them safe. And the part that stings is the owner usually believes they're approachable. Your third bullet point is the one I'd underline, changing your mind out loud in front of the team. It's the cheapest of the three but it's so hard to do on your own.
Yes!! This is such a good way of putting it. People pick up on that so quickly
And you’re so right that the owner often genuinely believes they’re approachable because they’re asking for honesty. But if every honest answer is met with defensiveness or justification, the team very quickly learns what’s actually safe to say.
Changing your mind out loud is such a powerful one too. Even just saying “you know what, I was wrong about that” can completely change the level of honesty in a team.
Bad leadership will get every company (and the individuals or teams responsible) eventually. This is what the history of modern business (100 plus years) has revealed. The question is do we and the subsequent generations wait patiently for this to unfold or do something about it.
yup!!