I have seen leaders who aren't well equipped to identify risk or to be proactive in their approach - I get it, they're busy or maybe too close to the issue.
I have sat in front of leaders who just didn't think what I was bringing up was worth any attention at all. ('me, clearing my throat' - like Covid, before it was a pandemic) Unfortunately, the sky needs to fall before they notice it.
Leaders - I suggest you get curious. If someone on your team has the courage to say 'Maybe we should be looking at xyz,' or, 'I think this is going to be a problem,' or 'I think there is a better way,' ask questions/get curious. Just because you didn't consider it doesn't mean it should be ignored or that it doesn't have merit.
It could be at the end of the day, after you take a deeper dive, it's not a big risk or doesn't warrant prioritizing it. But, by holding space with that person, you have signaled that it's safe for them to bring you thoughts, ideas, plans, or to sound the alarm.
I'm curious, has anyone brought something before their manager that wasn't given the attention it deserved only to have it play out the way you thought it would?
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