What are you willing to do to create a connection with your team?
- Eric Rouse
- Jan 28
- 1 min read
I came across a Newsweek article about a teacher who lets his students vote on his haircut.
It’s lighthearted, sure.
But it stuck with me.
When I trained as a Real Talk facilitator, the early learning wasn’t about outcomes or authority.
It started with recognizing that the people around you are a team, made up of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
From there came the power of vulnerability.
Not as weakness, but as a way to build trust.
And then strengthening that trust through empathy.
Taking time to understand how others experience the environment you’re creating.
That teacher didn’t give up credibility.
He created a moment of connection.
A small signal that said, “I see you, and I trust you.”
Strong leaders don’t connect by having all the answers.
They connect by being willing to meet people where they are.
The question isn’t whether you’d let your team choose your haircut.
It’s what’s your version of that moment?
Because real connection doesn’t require grand gestures.
Just intentional ones.
Worth it for the leadership lesson… and the haircuts 😄
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