The higher you climb, the thinner the air and the rarer the truth. Senior leaders often find themselves insulated from honest input, surrounded by cautious colleagues and filtered messages. Yet without feedback, growth stalls and blind spots expand. The best leaders don’t wait for candour; they create the conditions for it. Here’s how:
-
Ask early and often. Don’t save feedback for annual reviews. Build it into meetings, projects, and one-to-ones.
-
Make it safe. Use anonymous channels or 360 reviews if people are hesitant - then prove you take responses seriously.
-
Respond visibly. When feedback arrives, thank the giver, act on it, and tell the story of what changed.
- Model vulnerability. Share your own mistakes. It gives others permission to be honest without fear.
The above leadership tip...
was sent in response to a question from a participant on our acclaimed 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme. Whether you're a first time manager or an experienced leader, straightforward, practical advice on best practice is hard to find. Until now. To find out how you, your team or your organisation can benefit, please contact us.
Looking for a speaker for your next event?
William Montgomery, our Founder and CEO, is available as a keynote speaker and event host. His experience as a speaker encompasses a wide number of audiences on a diverse array of subjects. He is also a volunteer for Speakers for Schools and Inspiring the Future.