Q: Team members have told me they are uncomfortable with the meetings I run because they feel that I don’t respect their input, that I tend to wave them off in favor of my own ideas. My partner expects me to change my style so we can get the most from our people. I don’t think this is an ethical issue, but my partner disagrees. She says I’m getting pushier and shutting people down more and more, and that I don’t understand the effect I’m having on morale.  

A: You are lucky to have colleagues who care enough to speak up and help you see that words and tone of voice can cause harm. 

Disrespect is an ethical issue. It kills trust and well-being, not to mention inspiration. No wonder your partner is concerned; your current style shuts down the people you should depend on for creative ideas and innovative approaches. 

Time to regroup and circle back, both to thank the team members who had the courage to speak up and to ask them for more details. It can be hard to listen to such comments without justifying or defending your intentions. But when you understand what people have been hearing in your tone and language—and how it made them feel—you may see that your overdrive harms you as well as them. Putting the pedal to the floor escalates your impatience and stress, and undercuts your capacity to relate to others. It compromises the team’s motivation and tramples the opportunity for you to be a leader who brings out the best in people. 

Talk with your partner about what’s going on inside your head. Find out what she thinks is going on and discuss ways you can change things up (for the better of the company, your team and yourself). Seek out the people who were casualties of your meeting style and apologize. Next time the group comes together, encourage suggestions for new and better ways to create an environment where ideas can flourish and your team feels valued and supported in doing their best work. 

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE, VISIT ENTREPRENEUR.