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Every month, we deep dive on openness & honesty – all to help you do better together and get what you really want. 

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The Power of a Leader’s Words

The higher you rise in leadership, the more your words carry weight.

The higher you rise in leadership, the more your words carry weight. What you say—offhand comments, opinions, even the smallest suggestions— can be taken as directives, whether you intend them to be or not. And when your voice grows in perceived importance, something else shrinks to make room: the voices of those around you.

I recently spoke with a leader about this dynamic. He hadn’t fully considered how much his words shaped the conversations around him. His team often looked to him for final say, even when he was just brainstorming aloud. Meanwhile, those with less authority often hesitate to share their thoughts, assuming their words don’t carry as much weight.

As authority increases, real dialogue often decreases.

This is why the need to be a great listener must rise alongside your position. If you’re the loudest voice in the room—intentionally or not—you risk stifling the very input that could lead to better decisions, stronger teams, and a more engaged workforce.

So as the leader of a team, how do you counterbalance this?

  1. Pause Before You Weigh In. If you speak first, you might unintentionally shape the conversation before others have a chance to contribute.
  2. Ask, Then Listen. Make a habit of asking thoughtful questions and genuinely listening to responses before offering your own perspective.
  3. Clarify When You’re Thinking Out Loud. If you’re brainstorming, say so. It helps others feel safer challenging or expanding on your ideas.
  4. Actively Elevate Other Voices. When someone speaks, reinforce the value of their contribution. If a quieter team member has insight, invite them into the conversation – bring out their honesty!
  5. Create a Culture of Psychological Safety. Encourage an environment where people feel comfortable sharing ideas without fear of judgment or repercussions.
  6. Regularly Seek Feedback. Ask your team how your leadership style impacts them and grow where needed. Being intentional about this demonstrates humility and a commitment to continuous improvement. 

Leadership isn’t just about having the right answers—it’s about creating the conditions where the best ideas emerge. And that starts with knowing when to speak and, more importantly, when to listen.

The most effective leaders recognize that their role is not to be the loudest voice, but the one who ensures all voices are heard.