The Silence He Took for a Yes

The Broadcaster announced the new process at the all-hands. Clear slides, a written follow-up, a recap in the channel. He asked for questions. Nobody had any.

He took the quiet as agreement. A month later, half the team was still working the old way, and the other half had built a version of their own. Nobody had pushed back. They had just never bought in, and nobody asked them which it was.

No questions is not a yes. Sometimes it means the room did not feel safe saying no. The move: close the loop one person at a time. Ask each lead what they heard and what they will do differently on Monday.

Friday: a new leader in the neighborhood.

The Right Altitude. Available now. www.therightaltitudebook.com