Leadership happens with people, not above them
Started by Amanda Opie
350 points
Amanda Opie
The phrase "I'll speak to The Leadership Team" might be doing more harm than you think.
It’s a phrase we hear often.
But have you ever stopped to think how it lands with the rest of the team?
• It creates distance.
• It reinforces hierarchy.
• It can even feel a bit… us vs them.
When leaders constantly refer to The Leadership Team like a separate entity, it risks sending a message that decision-making happens in isolation - far removed from the people most affected by those decisions.
This isn't about stripping away structure or roles. It’s about connection.
Because great leadership isn't about being apart. It’s about being among.
What would it look like if we talked less about “The Leadership Team” and more about “our team”?
If you’re serious about building a culture of trust, collaboration, and psychological safety—this is where it starts.
• With language.
• With presence.
• With breaking down the invisible walls.
Have you experienced this kind of gap between leadership and the rest of the organisation?
350 points
Amanda Opie
The phrase "I'll speak to The Leadership Team" might be doing more harm than you think.
It’s a phrase we hear often.
But have you ever stopped to think how it lands with the rest of the team?
• It creates distance.
• It reinforces hierarchy.
• It can even feel a bit… us vs them.
When leaders constantly refer to The Leadership Team like a separate entity, it risks sending a message that decision-making happens in isolation - far removed from the people most affected by those decisions.
This isn't about stripping away structure or roles. It’s about connection.
Because great leadership isn't about being apart. It’s about being among.
What would it look like if we talked less about “The Leadership Team” and more about “our team”?
If you’re serious about building a culture of trust, collaboration, and psychological safety—this is where it starts.
• With language.
• With presence.
• With breaking down the invisible walls.
Have you experienced this kind of gap between leadership and the rest of the organisation?