Could your strategic influence be unintentionally silencing your team?
“Once upon a time, there was a highly strategic leader who always had a vision ready before the meeting even began.
Every day, the leader tried to speed things up by giving clear direction and strong opinions.
But one day, this leader noticed fewer ideas being shared, fewer questions being asked, and the team becoming increasingly quiet.
Because of that, decisions became slower — not faster.
Because of that, mistakes weren’t caught early.
Until finally, the leader paused and shifted: less directing, more inviting. And suddenly, innovation returned.”
This is the story of the Lion transformation.
Why This Matters !!
A recent analysis of more than 400 companies found that unclear internal communication costs organizations $1.2 trillion in lost productivity (Businesswire).
When leaders dominate conversations — even unintentionally — clarity drops and insight disappears.
Teams need direction, not domination.
Common Challenges … (Two Way)
If YOU Are the Lion
Shift from certainty → curiosity
Say: “Here’s my recommendation — what angles am I not seeing yet?”Create a pause before deciding
Say: “Give me the top risks or opportunities before we commit.”Replace “drive the plan” → “guide the strategy”
Say: “We’re moving forward — but help me refine how.”
If You WORK WITH a Lion
Strategic questions to redirect pressure into clarity:
“What’s the most important outcome you want us to solve for?”
“Where do you see the biggest risk if we proceed too fast?”
“What would success look like one week from now?”
Alignment phrases that keep the Lion engaged (without escalating the tone):
“I hear the direction — here’s how I plan to move us forward.”
“To align with your vision, here are my top two recommendations.”
“Let me play back what I understand so we’re on the same page.”
What To Do Instead 👍🏻 (Two-Way Bold Questions)
Use the 3S Model this week:
Sight → Sense → Strategy
Sight: What do I see happening?
Sense: What does it mean?
Strategy: What’s the direction forward?
Lions excel when they slow down just enough to sharpen the message.
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.”
— Simon Sinek
Explore your communication style and practice how to become a better Lion:
Download your free Communication Animal Guide → Master Your Leadership Voice: Discover Your Animal Style
📞 Book a Discovery Call to create your personalized plan.