Intensity can fuel performance—or quietly erode trust. Many leaders don’t realize how their drive is experienced by their team. Here’s the leadership blind spot that may be costing you psychological safety.

We live in a highlight culture. One that rewards polish, smoothness, and performance. But leadership requires something far more impactful: clarity. When leaders avoid direct communication, teams fill in the blanks with assumptions, tension, and misalignment. This blog breaks down why speaking straight — clearly and respectfully — is essential for trust and strong culture.