People deserve to understand the reasoning behind the actions you ask them to take. Explaining the why creates clarity, commitment, and ownership.
But there is a dangerous shortcut: “We need to do this because my boss wants it.”
The moment leaders use that explanation, they give away some of their authority. They position themselves as messengers rather than leaders.
You don’t have to agree with every decision from above. You can even challenge it. But as a leader, you ultimately need to own it. Your job is to translate the decision into a meaningful why your people can understand.
How often do you challenge a decision before asking your team to support it ?
Do your people understand why you ask them to do what they do ?
