The Friday Five - Leadership Edition

The Friday Five - Issue 11
Helping leaders maximize their potential
Terry Wetzel ~ Summit Leadership Development

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We hear about this all the time, but what is it? Mastering the art of making others feel heard builds trust faster than any other action. If you are a manager, you should be listening 80% of the time and speaking 20%, particularly in 1:1 meetings with your team members. Listen for understanding, listen with patience, ask questions; do not listen impatiently or be forming your response too quickly. This is a skill that comes easier for some than others, but it can be developed. Are you a good listener?

Do you truly know your team members? Building a connection with team members is the bridge between people who simply work together and a high-performing team that trusts one another. When a leader takes the time to ask about a weekend trip, acknowledge a major life milestone like a child’s graduation, a home renovation, or an aging parent, they are signaling that the individual is valued as a human being, not just a line on a spreadsheet. This level of personal investment creates a foundation of psychological safety; when employees feel seen they are more likely to do their best work and weather storms without burning out.

You will inevitably experience conflict as an emerging, new, or experienced leader. Left unchecked, it will cause anxiety, lost productivity, and turnover. The key lies in shifting from a reactive and ego-driven mindset to a proactive one. Instead of avoiding difficult conversations, effective leaders lean into them, examine their role in the conflict, use active listening to identify the root causes, and get it handled promptly. By addressing issues early, you prevent minor misunderstandings from eroding workplace culture. Remember, that which we permit, we promote.

Are you or a team member a complainer? A complainer isn't just annoying; they are a drain on the team’s most valuable resource—mental energy. Complaining is passive; problem-solving is active. Every minute spent complaining about a problem is a minute stolen from solving it. There is a difference between healthy venting (seeking a solution) and toxic complaining (seeking an audience). Strong leaders are not complainers nor do they tolerate complainers.

“In organizations, real power and energy is generated through relationships. The patterns of relationships and the capacities to form them are more important than tasks, functions, roles, and positions.” —Margaret J. Wheatley

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This week, I am asking you for your favorite book, podcast, tool, or app that helps you perform at your best. What is your go-to for motivation, guidance, inspiration, new ideas, or maybe just a healthy distraction? Don’t be shy, message me at [email protected] and I will compile your choices and share them (anonymously) next week! All submissions will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card.

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