Smile and Let Smile

In a recent VibeShift session, a participant told me, “When you listened first, it softened the whole room.” That moment stayed with me.

In my earlier leadership years, I often jumped straight into fixing – driven by efficiency, not empathy. But I’ve learned that correction without connection feels like criticism. Connection creates safety. Safety creates openness. Openness creates growth.

I remember a young staff member who once made a costly mistake. Instead of reprimanding him, I asked, “What happened in your work today?” He broke down. His whole story came out. And the correction became a moment of trust instead of fear.

Reflection: Do people feel understood by you before they feel guided by you?

#SmileAndLetSmile #LiftCulture #CultureCode365 Day 16 | Connect Before You Correct