I had an interesting conversation with a senior leader this week about enthusiasm.
He has been leading teams for more than twenty years. He is naturally energetic, genuinely cares about his people and has the kind of authority that comes with experience. His question wasn’t how to become more persuasive. It was something much more thoughtful.
“How do I notice, early enough, when my enthusiasm isn’t bringing everyone with me?”
I loved the question because it’s one that many leaders never think to ask.
We often associate great leadership with vision, energy and conviction. We imagine that if we believe strongly enough in an idea, other people will naturally follow. Sometimes they do.
Sometimes they don’t.
The challenge is that when we’re excited about where we’re going, it becomes much harder to notice whether everyone else is still with us. We can become so focused on communicating the destination that we stop paying attention to the journey people are having alongside us.
That’s where psychological safety becomes so important.
People don’t always tell a leader they’re confused, unconvinced or overwhelmed. They may nod. They may smile. They may even agree in the meeting, only to leave with unanswered questions or quiet concerns.
Creating psychological safety means making it easy for people to tell you what they’re really thinking, not what they think you want to hear.
That requires curiosity.
Instead of assuming agreement because the room is quiet, effective leaders check in. They ask, “How does this land with you?” or “What concerns haven’t we talked about yet?” They invite challenge rather than waiting for resistance to appear later.
The strongest leaders I’ve worked with don’t see questions as a threat to their authority. They see them as information.
They also understand something else.
Leadership isn’t about having every answer.
It’s about creating an environment where the best answers can emerge.
There is something incredibly powerful about hearing a leader say, “I’m not sure.” Or, “What do you think?” Or even, “Help me see what I’m missing.”
Far from diminishing authority, those moments often strengthen it.
Authenticity isn’t about sharing everything or being vulnerable for the sake of it. It’s about being honest enough to acknowledge that you don’t always have the complete picture, and confident enough to invite others to find it with you.
Ironically, that often builds far more trust than trying to appear certain all the time.
The conversation reminded me that communication isn’t simply about delivering a message well. It’s about staying connected to the people receiving it.
The best leaders don’t just communicate with clarity.
They listen with intention.
They notice the room.
They create enough safety for people to tell them when they’ve stopped following.
How are you showing up as a leader when the stakes are high?
If you’re curious about how your communication, presence and leadership style are landing, take my free Speak Proud Executive Presence Assessment. It will help you identify where you’re already strong and where small changes could have the biggest impact.
Lisa Sheerin, ICF PCC Executive Coach | Transforming Confidence, Communication & Leadership
Lisa works as an executive public speaking coach, actor, and group fitness instructor with over 20 years of experience. A graduate of a three-year drama school program in London, she began her career in theatre and film, where she faced and overcame imposter syndrome. Today, she empowers others to embrace their authenticity and transform self-doubt into confidence, combining her acting expertise, fitness training, and passion for personal growth. Her mission is to guide others toward a life where they can speak and live proudly.
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