Leadership is not just about making decisions or driving performance. It’s also about being someone people can approach. When team members feel safe bringing concerns or feedback to you, it means they trust you. That trust is a powerful advantage, but it doesn’t happen by accident.

Leaders often say, “My door is always open.” But that door is only truly open if people believe it’s safe to walk through. If team members fear being judged, ignored, or punished for speaking up, they will choose silence. And silence can be costly. Small problems grow. Resentment builds. Innovation stalls.