The Question:

Your team questions your leadership decisions. How will you respond effectively?

First, don’t take it personally. As a leader, it’s completely natural for your team to question your decisions. After all, you’re out in front, seeing things they might not see yet. It’s like being the driver on a road trip. You spot a scenic route ahead, but your passengers wonder why you didn’t take the highway.

Your vision may seem clear to you. But it may confuse your team. Some of your ideas could even seem unnecessary to them.

When people are confused and feel unheard, they either quietly comply, disengage, or leave. And no one wins in that situation.

To lead well, we must listen well. By seeking out our team’s views and welcoming their questions, we engage them. Their questions give us a chance to explain why our direction matters.

A high-road leader knows it’s not only about choosing the path but inspiring the team to walk it with you. John Maxwell says that every team member is always asking three key questions about you, whether they voice them or not:

1. Can you help me? – They want to know if you can help them succeed. If they believe you can help them grow and improve, they’ll be more eager to follow.
2. Can I trust you? – Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship. Team members need to feel confident that you will be transparent, fair, and dependable. Without trust, there is hesitation.
3. Do you care about me? – People don’t want to be seen as mere workers; they want to feel valued as individuals. When you show genuine care for their success, their loyalty and commitment deepen.

Answering these questions with patience and respect will build your team’s trust. They will be more engaged and motivated. Think of it as fueling their commitment engine. When people feel supported and trust you, they’ll excel. They’ll go the extra mile for you if they know you care.

If you’re like me, you might notice a tendency to think, “I said it, so they should just do it.” But relying on our title or position is the lowest level of leadership. It doesn’t usually lead to the best results.

Most of us don’t start out as great, or even good, leaders. In the early days, it’s easy to think people will want to do what we lay out. We expect them to follow us because “it’s their job.”

Thankfully, becoming a great leader is an exciting journey of growth. With the right resources and support, we can all become stronger leaders. We can learn to inspire and lead our teams with more heart, and ultimately get better results.

So, when your team questions your decisions, see it as an opportunity, not a threat. Let them know you value their input. Engage, explain, and inspire. 

When you show you care, they’ll be much more willing to follow you.