Every shortcut you take as a leader gets added to a tab. Eventually, someone hands you the bill.
Every shortcut you take as a leader gets added to a tab. Eventually, someone hands you the bill.
“I thought I was protecting them. I was actually just protecting myself from the discomfort of the conversation.”
Here’s what I’ve noticed about the leaders who get this right. They don’t choose between being kind and being direct. They’ve learned that real kindness requires directness. That protecting someone from honest feedback isn’t grace; it’s avoidance. And avoidance always has a cost. You pay it, they pay it, and eventually the team pays it.Your team doesn’t need you to be easy to work for. They need you to be clear, consistent, and honest — especially when it’s uncomfortable.