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You’re standing behind the podium. Eyes are on you and you start speaking.

Suddenly, that piercing squeal of feedback cuts through the room.

What’s your instinct?

Most people step back. It feels like the right thing to do—move away from the noise, create distance, let the moment pass.

But here’s the thing: that instinct is wrong.

Every week I tell our volunteers at church to lean into the mic and speak loudly when they hear feedback on the mic. Pulling away is a natural response but it doesn't help.

The only way to stop the feedback is to lean in and speak louder.

It feels counterintuitive, but it works. And it’s the same in leadership.

When challenges hit, like a tough conversation, a big decision, a season of uncertainty, our tendency is to pull back, stay quiet, or delay. We hope the tension will resolve itself.

But the truth is, real leadership requires the opposite.

• Stay present. Don’t retreat from the moment. Take a breath, square up, and stay in it.
• Speak with clarity. Ambiguity creates anxiety. Lean in with clear, direct words.
• Be curiosity. Leaning in doesn’t always mean pushing harder—it can mean asking better questions.

The moments that stretch you the most often hold the biggest opportunity for growth.

Where in your leadership do you need to lean in instead of pulling back?

If you’re facing a season where leaning in feels hard, coaching can help. It gives you tools, perspective, and confidence to lead with clarity—even when the feedback is loud.

Hit reply if you want to talk about what leaning in could look like for you or your team.

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Thanks for reading

Phil

405 Leadership Advisors LLC

Define strategy and implement with ​confidence and clarity.