Most leaders think they know how their team is doing. They’re often wrong. 😑

Not because they’re not paying attention, but because the way they’re gathering information is almost entirely reactive. A hallway conversation here, a meeting there, a quick vibe check before a presentation. It feels like staying connected. But when an issue finally surfaces, it’s usually been brewing for weeks.

Here’s what I’ve found in my work with leaders across multiple industries: the ones with truly energized teams have one thing in common: They show up consistently, before there’s a reason to. A short, regular check-in (not a performance conversation, not a status update) is just a dedicated moment where the question is genuinely “How are you doing?” That kind of rhythm changes everything.

The questions matter too.

  • What are you proud of this week?
  • What’s worrying you?
  • How’s the morale around you?

Those are good questions. But the one most leaders skip, the one that builds real trust, is: 

  • What could I be doing better or differently to support you?


Most people will not answer that honestly the first time you ask. Or the second. Or maybe even the third.

But if you keep asking, and you actually respond to what you hear, people start to believe you are actually interested in the answer when you ask.

And when people believe you’re actually interested in the answer, they tell you the truth. That honesty is where performance and change live.

Psychological safety is not a culture initiative. It’s not a workshop outcome.

Safety is what happens when a leader shows up with the same intention, week after week, and proves through action that the feedback was worth giving in the first place.


Teams that feel energized have leaders who create that kind of consistency. They understand that trust is built in small, repeated moments, not in grand gestures.

Our theme this month will focus on Managing People & Performance (Energizing your Team). It’s a 5-week month, so buckle up, buttercups. 

Your first assignment is to reflect on the question below. If this question is not being asked of you, who are you going to ask it to?

What’s one question you wish someone would ask you more often?