The Permission Problem

The Permission Problem

There's a question I ask in almost every leadership conversation.  It takes seconds to answer. And it tells me almost everything I need to know about the health of an organization. 

Does your team have permission to tell you the wind has shifted? 

Most leaders pause when they hear it.  Because here's what I've observed, across decades working with leaders in boardrooms, turnarounds, and family businesses: the single most dangerous condition isn't a bad strategy.

It isn't a down market or a talent gap.  It's a culture where the people closest to the problem don't feel safe saying so.  I call it the Permission Problem. 

It doesn't show up as open conflict. It shows up as silence.

Meetings where everyone agrees too quickly. Consistent good news — right up until the moment there isn't any. 

Ever wonder why month end reporting doesn’t match expectations? Three degrees off course at the speed of business puts you 1,884 miles from your destination in 30 days.

Not because of one catastrophic mistake. Because of a small deviation that nobody had permission to name. 

The good news: it's solvable. But the leader has to go first. 

Full post on From the Helm — link in comments. 

Question for you: In your organization right now, does your team feel safe telling you the wind has shifted?