“Your biggest execution problem isn’t incompetence — it’s silence.”
The Quiet Problem in Every Growing Company
It’s rarely the strategy that fails.
It’s the silence.
In almost every leadership offsite, there’s that moment when someone knows something isn’t working, but doesn’t say it. They see tension, spot risk, sense misalignment… yet stay quiet.
That silence isn’t apathy; it’s self-protection.
And it’s costing companies millions.
When middle managers don’t feel safe to speak up, truth gets lost, execution slows, and frustration simmers beneath the surface.
Everyone appears aligned, but underneath, the business is quietly drifting.
The Real Root Cause: Fear Disguised as Professionalism
Culture isn’t what’s written on the wall, it’s what people feel safe doing.
If your values say “We’re open and honest,” but managers fear being shut down or sidelined, behaviour will always follow the feeling, not the poster.
Why do middle managers stay quiet?
Because they’ve learned that:
- The messenger often gets shot.
- Meetings reward good news, not real news.
- Leaders say “speak up,” but defend when people do.
- Decisions feel predetermined — so why risk it?
That’s how fear creeps in, disguised as professionalism.
Takeaway: When people protect themselves instead of the business, execution dies quietly.
Psychological Safety Isn’t Soft — It’s Strategic
Google’s Project Aristotle found one factor separating high-performing teams from the rest: psychological safety — the belief that you won’t be punished for speaking up, asking questions, or admitting mistakes.
It’s not about unfiltered emotion or endless debate. It’s about creating a climate where truth travels fast and learning happens in real time.
When managers feel safe to raise issues:
- Problems surface early — small cracks don’t become crises.
- Ideas multiply — people offer solutions, not compliance.
- Engagement soars — ownership replaces obedience.
Takeaway: Safety accelerates execution because truth moves faster.
The Questions You Ask Drive the Behaviour You Get
Leaders shape culture through the questions they ask.
Ask defensive questions (“Who’s responsible for this mistake?”) and you’ll get defensiveness.
Ask curious questions (“What can we learn from this?”) and you’ll get discovery.
In Scaling Up, meeting rhythms are learning rhythms — and learning only happens when leaders ask questions that invite truth.
Takeaway: Ask better questions, get better answers, build a better company.
What Great Leaders Do Differently
A “speak-up culture” isn’t declared — it’s modelled.
Here’s what effective leaders do consistently:
- Go first. Admit mistakes and ask for feedback before demanding it.
- Reward candour. Publicly thank those who raise tough issues.
- Listen with curiosity. Replace reaction with reflection: “Tell me more.”
- Set expectations. Define what healthy conflict looks like, silence is the real dysfunction.
- Follow through. Act on feedback. Ignored input is worse than none.
Takeaway: Culture is shaped by what leaders tolerate and what they celebrate.
Make It Real in Leadership Meetings
Your meeting rhythm is your culture in motion.
Start by asking:
- Are our meetings safe for truth?
- Do we explore real issues or just report progress?
- When was the last time a mid-level leader changed our mind on something important?
If you can’t remember, it’s time to recalibrate.
Try a “Red Flag Round” in your weekly meetings, 3 minutes where managers can raise emerging risks or team frustrations without blame. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s pattern recognition and learning.
Why It Matters
Middle managers sit at the intersection of strategy and reality.
If they don’t feel safe to speak up, your strategy remains theoretical.
Creating a speak-up culture doesn’t mean losing control — it means gaining visibility.
It transforms meetings from status updates into problem-solving sessions, and departments from silos into systems of learning.
Takeaway: The quieter the culture, the slower the execution.
Final Thought — From Safe Silence to Safe Truth
When leaders create safety, honesty follows.
When honesty becomes habitual, performance accelerates.
Because culture isn’t defined by the words we write — it’s revealed by the conversations we allow.
“The questions you ask drive the behaviour you want.”
Ask better questions, and you’ll build a better company.
Ready to build a culture where truth drives execution?
Join our next Scaling Up / Rockefeller Habits Workshop in Brisbane — where we’ll show you how to embed meeting rhythms, accountability, and psychological safety into your leadership system.
Email tedb@strategyandexecution.com.au to reserve your seat.
TED BONEL, SCALING UP PRACTITIONER – STRATEGY & EXECUTION BUSINESS ADVISORS
Are you looking to scale your business and execute strategy with clarity and impact? I help CEOs and founders turn big ideas into real-world results, guiding small to mid-market companies through tailored strategic insights that drive growth.
My expertise lies in simplifying complexity – bridging high-level strategic frameworks with the practical realities of running a business. Unlike many consultants who focus solely on theory or execution, I specialise in both—translating strategy into actionable, transformative steps that deliver lasting results.
Ready to build a business that grows without burning you out?
Contact me at tedb@strategyandexecution.com.au to schedule a free 30-minute discovery meeting.
ABOUT STRATEGY & EXECUTION
For over 20 years, Strategy & Execution has supported leaders and organisations in developing and executing winning strategies. We provide expert facilitation, executive education, and hands-on consulting to help businesses refine their strategic direction and implement it effectively.
Using proven methodologies like Scaling Up, E-Myth Mastery, Outthinker, and more, we challenge conventional thinking and equip organisations with the tools to accelerate growth. Our approach is dynamic—combining deep business experience with practical execution. We don’t just advise; we roll up our sleeves and work alongside you to make strategy happen.
If you’re preparing for a strategy development or execution challenge and are committed to creating real value, we’d love to hear from you. Learn more about our work or upcoming workshops.
