How do you create a culture of open and honest communication within your IT team to prevent or address manipulative behavior?
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Trust is crucial. As Robyn wrote above, it's important not to do anything that could jeopardize that trust because it's much harder to regain once lost. In my experience, being open and honest about potential layoffs, for example, is essential. I always encouraged my team to be proactive and prepare for such possibilities by attending training and increasing their value.<br>
Vulnerability is key. As a leader, you need to be brave enough to share your weaknesses and strengths with your team. Also, words matter. It's important to explicitly state that a meeting is a safe space where team members can express themselves without fear of consequences. As leaders mature, they often assume that their team knows this, but it's essential to reinforce it regularly.
I think it's vital to model the behavior you want to see. If I want my team to be open about problems or mistakes, I need to demonstrate that I can do the same. I often share my own mistakes and ask for their advice, which sets a tone of mutual accountability and encourages openness.
I believe in setting a tone that encourages open and honest communication. It's important to create an environment where team members feel they can share anything without fear of personal backlash. If conversations seem shallow, I dig deeper by asking more questions. I often ask if there are any issues or concerns I need to be aware of. If the response is overly positive, I humorously challenge that notion to encourage more honest feedback. As a team matures, we spend less time in superficial conversation.
In my team, I prioritize empathy and emotional intelligence in leadership. I manage my team the way I would want to be managed. We start every meeting with personal updates, which helps build trust and rapport. I believe that if you treat people the way you want to be treated, you'll get honest responses and honest presentations to me and my team. I strive to treat my team members as professional human beings who can do their jobs, and this approach has helped us avoid issues.