𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 - 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧

By Rashmi Mayur, Finance & Accounting Leader

Years ago, I submitted a proposal I believed in. After weeks of work, I received no approval, rejection or feedback. The silence stayed with me longer than the proposal itself, shaping how I approached my next idea.
That experience taught me that leadership is defined less by what leaders say in town halls and more by how they respond in everyday moments. Acknowledging an idea, honouring a commitment and recognising someone’s contribution can have a lasting impact on trust and performance.

Delegate with ownership. When team members lead a project, they should also have the space to present their work and receive credit. Feedback is most effective when shared constructively and at the right time, not through public corrections that undermine confidence.

Treat commitments as promises. When leaders commit to a deadline, teams plan around it. Meeting that commitment - or communicating a change before the deadline passes - demonstrates accountability and respect for everyone’s time.

Make decisions with clarity. A timely, well-explained rejection is more valuable than prolonged uncertainty. Clear decisions allow people to refine their ideas, explore alternatives and move forward with confidence.
Create visibility for your team. Encouraging employees to share ideas directly with senior leadership builds confidence and strengthens the organisation. A leader’s impact is not measured by how many decisions pass through them, but by how many people they empower to grow.

Observing leaders who overlook these everyday responsibilities has reinforced these lessons for me. The unanswered email, shifting deadline or unacknowledged contribution may seem insignificant in isolation, but together, they shape how people experience leadership. Honest feedback and mentorship become increasingly important as seniority grows and fewer people are willing to challenge those at the top.

I do not always get everything right. But experience continues to reinforce a simple principle: trust your people, communicate honestly, honour your commitments and give others the space to succeed. Leadership is not built in grand gestures alone; it is earned through the consistency of small actions.