Connected leaders create an environment of trust and psychological safety in which employees innovate freely without fearing failure or internal backstabbing. When such a culture prevails, individuals’ sound judgment, not processes created by management, solves our greatest challenges. A nimble mind with ownership of the outcome will always outperform a process and improve a situation, organization, and life.
When we create a workplace with effective and efficient colleagues and cut unhealthy relationships, everything soars. Performance is contagious. For this reason, leaders must always focus on healthy, emotionally stable connections for innovation, progress, and success.
Communication and candor are critical, but feedback must have positive intent, solve problems, and not create new issues. Because many employees fear group rejection, leaders should offer validation when providing growth feedback. All of us must feel psychologically safe to bring forth our most creative solutions.