Leadership roles come with formal authority. You can make decisions, approve work, manage performance and influence the direction of your team. But formal authority has a hidden downside. The more authority you have, the less likely people may be to challenge your ideas, raise concerns or give you honest feedback. Even approachable leaders can unknowingly create barriers that stop valuable conversations from happening. In this episode, I explore some of the unintended consequences of formal authority and share practical ways to encourage greater participation and more open discussion. In this episode, you'll learn: Why formal authority can discourage people from speaking up How leaders can become trapped in an echo chamber Why your feedback carries more weight than you might realise How to encourage more honest discussion and better ideas Why external perspectives, peers and coaches can provide valuable feedback Practical ways to reduce the barriers created by your leadership position Related resources Podcast: #178: So You Have an Open Door Policy… But Is It Working? Leadership coaching: Work with Ben. What do you think? Have you ever noticed your leadership position changing how people interact with you?

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.