What is your team not telling you? Your new authority may be the culprit.
When you enter a new role with expanded authority, the energy shifts:
If you were promoted, past colleagues become wary subordinates
If you are new to the org, people want to get on your "good side"
This can be a huge hazard because you're not getting the information you need to lead.
Here's what to do about it:
Make it known that you are aware that your new authority may make truth-telling harder
Encourage truth-telling and show appreciation when it occurs
Share how truth-telling is informing your views and actions
Promote truth-telling as a win for the team to help socialize the practice
The above is not easy, "truths" - or the way someone truly sees something - are not easy to share and can be poorly delivered because folks won't have much practice in the early days.
That's precisely the point, you need to build your muscle for candid feedback or else face the consequences of low trust and low information.
The last step then,
5. Frame truth-telling as a work-in-progress, something that won't be easy but will strengthen with practice
You can't afford for your team to hold back - I hope this helps as you get up to speed.
Want to learn how advisory can help you build this muscle with your team? Explore here: