“Who actually knows what’s really going on around here? And does anyone in senior leadership even care?”

If you’ve ever heard these questions whispered in hallways or wondered if there’s more happening beneath the surface of your organization than meets the eye, this episode is essential listening.

Many top executives are unknowingly disconnected from the reality of what’s happening in their organizations. Not because they don’t care, but because they’re insulated, distracted, or wearing invisible blinders.

Gayle Lantz pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening below the surface from quiet frustration with leadership to toxic behavior being tolerated, from mismatched messaging to emotional whiplash that leaves employees walking on eggshells.

As Gayle explains, “What you don’t see can absolutely hurt you and everyone else. Problems don’t fix themselves just because you’ve set a vision or told people things will get better.”

The deeper you go, the clearer things become. But many leaders avoid diving deep because they fear what they might discover.

This episode reveals the hidden costs of staying disconnected and provides practical strategies for getting below the surface to build trust, retain talent, and strengthen your leadership credibility.

This episode covers:

• Six common scenarios playing out beneath the surface of organizations
• Why leaders miss critical undercurrents (hint: it’s not always intentional)
• The compelling business case for developing self-aware leaders
• Practical strategies for diving deeper and seeing what you need to see
• The importance of regular, informal, candid feedback
• What to do if you’re the one asking “Does leadership even care?”

The reality is, leadership isn’t about staying dry on the surface. Sometimes you have to dive in and swim through the murky waters because that’s where trust is built, truth lives, and real leadership begins.

Your people are counting on you to go deeper. They want to be engaged in creating wins for everyone.

Are you ready to dive below the surface?

LINKS:

Previous CEO on the Go Episodes

Craving Connection: Why Meaningful Relationships Still Matter (#265)

Clear Your Vision: What’s Really Clouding Your Leadership View? (#264)