There was a time when I thought I was being the ‘ideal’ manager.
After all, I was providing directions, giving feedback, making decisions, everything by the book. Until one day a junior team member built up the courage to share that my approach was not fostering creativity.
That feedback was a real eye-opener!
More often than you might assume, managers are unaware of what their people really feel about their leadership.
In my time as a manager, I’ve come to realize: sometimes, I’m the last person to know how my team genuinely feels about my leadership.
This isn’t about trust or transparency but a natural human tendency. People can be introvert, hesitant to share, or just waiting for the right moment.
You need to build deeper bonds with a few members who aren’t afraid to be candid.
As a manager, you need a few folks in your staff who can provide you candid feedback, challenge you, and uncover the blind spots for you.
