By Sarah Noll Wilson
1) Self-Reflection Questions
- Where might I be unintentionally discouraging feedback?
(Consider your body language in meetings, how you respond to unexpected pushback, or whether you consistently carve out space for input.)
- What’s the cost of avoiding tough truths in our current climate?
(Think about possible turnover, missed insights, or conflicts that bubble up later.)
- How do I typically react to negative feedback about my leadership or policies?
(Jot down a recent example. Did you listen and thank the person, or did you get defensive?)
2) Team Conversation Starters
- “What’s one thing we’re not talking about, but probably should?”
(Encourage everyone to share at least one concern, no matter how small.)
- “What barriers do you face in bringing up tough topics?”
(Listen closely for clues about trust levels or hidden power dynamics.)
- “When have you felt most comfortable sharing a difficult truth here?”
(Use this to uncover what worked well in the past and replicate it.)
3) Quick Actions
- Schedule a Monthly ‘Elephant Check-In’: Block 15–30 minutes in a regular team meeting to surface any brewing concerns.
- Facilitate a Quarterly Discussion: What do we want to celebrate doing new or different to talk about hard things? What do we want to commit to trying over the next quarter?
- Show Visible Gratitude: The next time someone delivers uncomfortable feedback, thank them openly (in front of the team, if appropriate), and highlight why their perspective matters.
Sarah Noll Wilson is on a mission to help leaders build and rebuild teams. She aims to empower leaders to understand and honor the beautiful complexity of the humans they serve. Through her work as an Executive Coach, an in-demand Keynote Speaker, Researcher, Contributor to Harvard Business Review, and Bestselling Author of “Don’t Feed the Elephants”, Sarah helps leaders close the gap between what they intend to do and the actual impact they make. She hosts the podcast “Conversations on Conversations”, is certified in Co-Active Coaching and Conversational Intelligence, and is a frequent guest lecturer at universities. In addition to her work with organizations, Sarah is a passionate advocate for mental health.