Did I Just Break My Team?

The 90-Minute Reversal: Why Your Silence is Costing You Trust

TL;DR: Leadership communication is often viewed as a time-sink, yet proactive dialogue prevents the exponential cost of fixing fractured relationships later. By spending 90 minutes addressing concerns early, leaders can realign teams with the vision and halt growing discontent.

As a CEO or Director overseeing 30 or more staff, your time is your most guarded asset. You likely have a "Shane didn’t get it right" playbook in your mind—moments where you prioritised the task so heavily that you forgot the people executing it. I recently fell into this trap myself by trialling a new product without informing the broader organisation. I thought I was being efficient; my team thought I was being secretive.

The Vacuum of Information

When leaders stop speaking, teams don't stop thinking. They fill the silence with their own narratives, usually driven by anxiety. Are you currently sitting on a decision because you think "it doesn’t concern them"? This is where the schism begins. What feels like a minor omission to you can feel like a major betrayal of transparency to a team member who values the organisation’s vision.

In my case, the rumours began to fester. One brave team member brought the feedback to me. Because I have spent years modelling that feedback is a gift, I was able to catch the issue before it decimated our culture. I spent 90 minutes total—an email and an emergency meeting—to fix what could have been a disaster. How much time are you currently spending on "damage control" that could have been avoided with a ten-minute briefing?

The Psychology of Visibility

Consider the story of Admiral Lord Nelson. He was famous for his ability to communicate a vision so clearly that his captains knew exactly what to do even when the smoke of battle made signalling impossible. He didn't achieve this by staying in his cabin; he achieved it through constant, visible dialogue. If your team only hears from you when there is a crisis or a KPI review, you are not leading; you are officiating.

The Audit: Look at your calendar for the last fortnight. How many entries were dedicated to listening to your people without an agenda? If the answer is zero, you are likely operating with a significant blind spot regarding team morale.

Three Strategies for Proactive Alignment

1. The Communication Plan

Before implementing any change, no matter how small, draft a simple message that addresses the vision first.

Example: "We are trialling this initiative because it aligns with our vision of client excellence. Team A will test it for two weeks, and we’ll review the data before a full rollout."

Why it works: A plan ensures you are communicating actively to all stakeholders, reducing the fear of the unknown.

2. Practise Intentional Visibility

Make it a non-negotiable habit to spend time in the spaces where your team works.

Example: "I'm just stopping by to see how the project is hitting the ground. What’s one hurdle I can remove for you today?"

Why it works: It humanises leadership and prevents the discontent that grows when people feel their leader is aloof.

3. Lead with Questions, Not Directives

When a concern is raised, resist the urge to defend your position. Always ask questions first.

Example: "I hear that the new trial is causing some frustration. Tell me more about that. What are you seeing that I might have missed?"

Why it works: It shifts the interaction from a conflict to a dialogue, helping you answer the right questions rather than going off on tangents.

The Price of Silence

Relational leadership requires you to lay down your pride. It means admitting when you’ve blundered by not communicating. The 90 minutes I spent weren't a waste of time; they were an investment in the next five years of our culture. Are you willing to pay the small price of a conversation now, or the massive price of a resignation later?

What is one decision you’ve made recently that you’ve kept to yourself?

After all, the only thing more expensive than communication is the silence that replaces it.