A Leadership Lesson Learned Through Reflection and Reflection: The Key to Team Growth

As a Senior Director in a policy area of government, I was fortunate to work in a team that consistently produced high-quality results. However, it was not until I received a pivotal feedback from my senior executive leader that I truly understood the importance of trust in fostering team growth.

A Pivotal Moment

We were preparing material for a Minister regarding a piece of legislation, discussing the finer points of the presentation framework and the appropriate messaging. The night was late, and we were in my boss's office, working diligently on the content. Suddenly, my boss sat back and said, "You know this is good work, but I have a hard time figuring out how much of this is your team's and how much is you."

This comment left me taken aback, and we didn’t discuss it further at the time. However, it lingered in my mind, and I couldn’t let go of the implications. Did he mean I was too rigid, forcing my own bias, or was everything coming from my team sounding like only my voice? What was the right balance between leading and letting others lead?

Understanding and Reflection

I decided to go back and discuss the comment with my boss. This conversation was a pivotal moment in my career. He explained that the work from my team was always of high quality and that he could see the way we worked together. But he observed that I often took on a leading role in problem-solving, trying to shield new team members from criticism and backlash.

The boss's insight was unspoken, but the impact was profound. We discussed the possibility that my behavior might communicate a lack of trust in my team's ability to solve problems on their own. He gently suggested that my actions might be subtly signaling that I didn't believe they could handle the challenges, which was something I had never considered before.

Embracing Growth and Trust

Reflecting on my own career, I realized that I had often made things easy for others by taking on more responsibility. I had tried to protect them from discomfort and criticism, believing that it was my duty to shield them. However, I now understand that my own growth had come from experiencing discomfort and addressing critiques. It wasn't my mentors who saved me; they trusted that I could handle it and learn from it.

This lesson was a gentle yet jarring insight. I had to recalibrate my approach to leading my team. My job shifted from being the fixer in every situation to creating an environment where my team could solve problems independently, with the support and guidance they needed to develop their skills and confidence.

Translating Leadership into Action

Every day, I now focus on removing the barriers that prevent my team from moving solutions forward quickly. I set higher expectations for them and trust that they have the skills and knowledge to craft nuanced and politically appropriate policy positions. This approach not only fosters their growth but also ensures that the team can adapt and thrive in a dynamic policy environment.

Trust is a critical component of effective leadership, both in the team and in the organization. By fostering an environment of trust, we can create opportunities for growth and innovation, and build a culture where team members feel empowered to make decisions and take initiative.

In conclusion, my experience with a senior executive leader taught me the importance of trust and reflection in leading a team. By understanding and addressing my own blind spots, I was able to shift my approach, allowing my team to grow and succeed. Leadership is not just about making decisions; it's about creating an environment that empowers others to do their best work. Trust is the foundation of this process.