Take a moment to reflect. Does your personality welcome people, or does it push them away? Are you the kind of leader your team feels safe approaching, or are you the person they come to only when every other option has failed?

The way others perceive you as a leader matters, more than you might realise. If your team waits until things have derailed before involving you, it’s a signal. And that signal points to you.

Your Approachability Defines Your Leadership
Being unapproachable doesn’t make you a stronger leader, it isolates you. It creates a culture of silence, where problems fester instead of being solved early.

When your team hesitates to speak up, innovation is stifled, mistakes go uncorrected, and trust breaks down. And the truth is, if they aren’t coming to you, you share some of the blame.

Ask yourself: Are you the last resort? Or the first port of call?

How to Tell If You’re Unapproachable

• They only speak up when there’s a crisis.If problems come to you late, it’s not just a timing issue, it’s a trust issue.
• Your decisions rarely face challenge or input.A lack of pushback isn’t always a sign of agreement. It might mean they’re afraid to question you.
• You hear about issues second-hand.When problems bypass you, it’s a sign your team doesn’t see you as part of the solution.

If any of this feels familiar, it’s time to take a hard look at how you lead.

How to Build Approachability as a Leader

1. Create Safety for Open DialoguePeople need to know they can speak their minds without fear. Start by listening, truly listening and showing respect for their input, even when it’s critical.
2. Be the One Who Reaches OutDon’t wait for your team to approach you. Regularly check in, ask thoughtful questions, and show genuine interest in their challenges and successes.
3. Check Your ReactionsDo you respond with frustration or dismissiveness? Every reaction you have teaches your team something, either to trust you or avoid you. Choose wisely.
4. Make Time for ThemLeadership is about presence. An open-door policy isn’t just about a physical door, it’s about your attitude. Make people feel they’re worth your time.
5. Seek Feedback, ActivelyAsk your team how you’re doing. What could you do better? What do they need from you? Be prepared to hear the uncomfortable truths and take action to improve.

Your leadership isn’t defined by your title. It’s defined by the trust you earn.

Own Your Leadership Legacy

Ask yourself:

Am I approachable? Or am I avoided?

Because your team’s willingness to approach you isn’t just about their comfort, it’s about your leadership. And leadership, at its core, is about connection.