Why You Need Truth Tellers on Your Team!

Let’s have an honest conversation—how often do you get the unfiltered truth?

Not just polished updates or filtered reports, but the kind of feedback that tells you,

• How you talk and act as a leader,
• How your decision-making is perceived,
• And what your business ethics say about you.

I’m talking about the honest feedback that helps you see how others truly perceive you as a leader.

Granted, the truth isn’t always comfortable to hear. But here’s the thing: it’s essential.

Today’s leadership is all about leading from the inside out. It’s about knowing yourself, recognizing your blind spots, and growing through feedback.

Here’s where truth tellers come in.

Truth tellers are your mirrors—they show you what you might not see on your own. They bring uncomfortable but necessary feedback to your attention, helping you stay informed, accountable, and prepared to grow.

Without truth tellers, you risk falling into a comfort zone of partial truths where problems are hidden, solutions delayed, and trust eroded.

In today’s newsletter, I’ll explore why having truth tellers on your team is not just beneficial but vital for your leadership and organizational success.

Why Truth Matters to You

As mentioned, truth tellers are your mirrors—they don’t just show you what you might not see on your own; they help you grow as a person and as a leader.

The feedback they provide might sting, but it’s the kind of feedback that leads to real transformation.

Without them, you risk remaining blind to issues that could have been resolved early, and your leadership might stagnate, creating distance between you and your team.

When your team feels safe to speak up, you build trust—not just in your decisions but in your character as a leader. You show them that their voice matters.

And when they see that their honesty leads to change, they’ll feel more deeply connected to your vision, more engaged, and more invested in the company’s success.

Here’s what happens when your team doesn’t feel safe enough to share the truth.

? Problems grow unnoticed—leaving you stuck in a cycle of frustration and uncertainty.

? Projects veer off course without correction, and morale sinks.

? Your team loses trust in your ability to act on what matters most, leaving them disillusioned and disengaged.

Honest feedback is not just helpful—it’s vital for your leadership.

The truth strengthens relationships, fosters growth, and builds a foundation of trust that supports your entire organization.

Without truth-tellers, you can’t lead with clarity, and you can’t inspire your team to reach their full potential.

How to Invite Truth Telling

So, how do you create an environment where truth tellers feel safe to speak up? It starts with your actions.

You need to make it clear that you’re not just asking for feedback—you’re ready for it.

You’re open to hearing what’s uncomfortable because you understand that’s how growth happens.

When you show your team that their truth is welcomed—no matter how tough—it builds a deeper bond of trust.

They will feel more connected to you, knowing you genuinely care about their perspectives and are willing to listen with an open heart.

?This emotional connection is what strengthens your leadership and motivates your team to give their best.

Here’s how you can make space for truth.

?? Ask for the truth

Don’t just hope they’ll speak up—invite them in. When you ask questions like, “What’s one thing I might not want to hear but need to?” you show that you value their honesty.

?? React with openness

Your response to tough feedback sets the tone. When you listen calmly and thank them for their courage, you validate their voice and reinforce the trust you’re building together.

?? Demonstrate vulnerability

When you share your own challenges and mistakes, you show that being truthful isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength. This opens the door for deeper connection and trust.

?? Show you’ll act on it

Feedback is only valuable if you use it. When you take action based on what you hear, you prove that their voice truly matters, which strengthens their loyalty and trust in your leadership.

The Leadership Advantage of Truth Tellers

Truth tellers don’t just make you a better leader—they help build a stronger, more resilient team.

When your team knows they can trust you to listen to their truth, they’ll feel more engaged and connected to the company’s mission.

They’ll work with more passion because they know their contributions are valued.

As a leader, seeking and embracing the truth shows your strength.

It may challenge you, but it also opens the door to growth. It shows your team that you’re committed to becoming better, to listening, and to acting with integrity.

Truth-telling creates a ripple effect of trust, engagement, and accountability that empowers everyone on your team to do their best work! ?

Self-Reflection: Are You Inviting the Truth?

Self-Reflection: Are You Inviting the Truth?

Ask yourself,

• Am I creating a space where truth tellers feel heard?
• Do I actively seek the truth, even when it’s hard?

Honest truth might feel uncomfortable, but it’s the cornerstone of growth.

Leading from the inside out starts with embracing the truth—about yourself, your leadership, and your organization.

This week, try asking your team, “What’s one thing I need to know but might not want to hear?” Listen to their answers, and let their truth guide your growth as a leader.

Here’s to creating a culture where truth isn’t feared but celebrated—and where leadership grows stronger because of it!?

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About Mireille Bergraaf

Mireille Bergraaf MCC ESIA is an internationally accredited ICF Master Coach (MCC) with over 10+ years of experience in coaching, leadership, and spirituality. She specializes in empowering leaders to cultivate empathy and compassion through coaching skills.

Mireille is the founder of Dutch Leadership Development (DLD), a leadership development company that works at the intersection of spirituality and business and focuses on cultivating coaching cultures within organization.

Mireille advocates for integrating spirituality in businesses to promote empathy, compassion, kindness, and integrity in teamwork.

She guides companies to cultivate coaching cultures within their organizations. Coaching cultures promote trust, open communication, welcoming challenges for growth, embracing diversity, team engagement, supporting creativity, and thinking beyond individual interests to contribute positively to the world.