Hey Unfiltered Folks,

Answer: They don't tell you the truth. They don't challenge you. They say "yes" to everything. That's not respect. That's fear.

If your team respects you, they'll push back. They'll tell you when you're wrong. They'll debate you. If they don't, you've created an environment where honesty is dangerous.

That's your fault. Respect looks like honest pushback, not silent agreement.

Question to Consider: When's the last time someone on your team disagreed with you publicly?

Why: Respect looks like honest pushback, not silent agreement.

Here's what's happening: you're in a meeting. You propose an idea. Everyone nods. You think they agree. They don't.

They just nodded because you're the boss. After the meeting, they complain to each other. "That idea sucks." But no one tells you.

The cost? You're making decisions based on fake consensus. Your ideas don't get pressure-tested. Bad ideas move forward. Good ideas get crushed because no one speaks up. Your best people leave because they can't be heard. The ones who stay are the ones comfortable being quiet.

You've created an echo chamber. All because you punish dissent.

You say you want honesty, but when someone disagrees, you get defensive. You shut them down. So they stopped trying.

Now you think nodding means respect. It doesn't. It means fear. Respected leaders get challenged. Feared leaders get compliance.

Action: Invite dissent this week.

In a meeting, say: "I need someone to tell me why this is wrong."

Reward the first person who pushes back. Thank them publicly. "That's a great point. I didn't think of that."

Do this every week. Prove it's safe. Soon people will trust they can challenge you. That's respect.

Stay Unfiltered,
— Andy

P.S. Respect looks like honest pushback, not silent agreement.

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