Scenario 5.5: There’s a difficult truth that no one is saying out loud
You sense that something important is being avoided, for example, poor performance, toxic culture, or structural issues, and it’s time to speak up.
Leadership Behaviours to Support This Challenge
| Code | Behaviour | Why It Matters |
| S3 | Seek the Brutal Facts | Facing the truth enables better decision-making. |
| T5 | Mastering Conflict | Surface-level harmony blocks real progress; respectful challenge is vital. |
| Y4 | Humility | Accepting that the team may be part of the issue creates openness to change. |
| L6 | Leaders Eat Last | Putting the team first means raising what’s hard when others won’t. |
Suggested Approach
- Create safe spaces for people to name issues honestly.
- Start by acknowledging what you’re noticing.
- Invite perspectives before offering your view.
- Support honest dialogue with kindness and clarity.
- Turn truth into action.