At Journey Payroll & HR, we know that great leadership goes far beyond job titles. Whether you’re a manager, supervisor, or business owner, your leadership style directly influences team morale, productivity, and overall workplace culture. But in the day-to-day grind, it’s easy to forget to check in on your own leadership approach. 

So, how do you know if you’re being the best leader you can be? 

Here are some simple but powerful questions every leader should reflect on:

Do You Have Regular Check-Ins with Your Employees?

Consistent, meaningful check-ins create space for honest conversations. Are you carving out time to meet with your employees one-on-one or in small groups? Regular meetings help you stay informed, provide coaching, and catch potential issues before they become problems. If you only connect during formal reviews, it may be time to rethink your approach.

Do You Talk More, or Listen More in Meetings?

A common leadership pitfall is dominating conversations. Meetings should be a two-way street. Are you creating opportunities for employees to share their perspectives, ideas, and feedback? The best leaders know when to step back, listen, and empower their teams to contribute. 

Leadership Self-Check Tip: At your next meeting, track how much time you spend talking versus listening. A good target is to listen at least 70% of the time. If you’re doing all the talking, it may be time to rebalance the conversation.

Do Employees Feel Comfortable Bringing Up Concerns or Ideas?

Healthy workplaces encourage open communication. Do your employees come to you freely with concerns, ideas, or questions? If team members hesitate or avoid speaking up, it could be a sign of an unintentional barrier in your leadership style. 

Why This Matters: Psychological safety, where employees feel safe to speak up without fear of embarrassment or punishment, is the foundation of strong team dynamics. Teams with high psychological safety are more innovative, collaborative, and engaged.

Do You Understand the Biggest Concerns of Your Employees?

Effective leaders stay connected to their teams’ challenges. Do you have a pulse on your employees’ common concerns, whether it’s workload balance, career growth opportunities, or workplace culture? Regular dialogue and anonymous feedback tools can help you gain real insight into what’s really on your team’s minds. 

Quick Insight: Studies consistently show that employees don’t leave companies, they leave managers. According to Gallup, 70% of the variance in employee engagement is attributable to managers. Proactive listening and addressing concerns directly correlates to higher engagement and reduced turnover. 

Good Leadership Starts with Listening 

Being a great leader doesn’t mean having all the answers, it means fostering trust, listening more than speaking, and creating an environment where employees feel heard, valued, and supported. 

Next step? Schedule a 15-minute one-on-one with at least one team member this week. Don’t set an agenda, just ask open-ended questions about how they’re doing and what’s on their mind. Small actions like this build lasting trust. 

At Journey Payroll & HR, we help businesses build strong workplace cultures from the ground up. If you’re ready to level up your leadership skills and better support your team, we’re here to help with tools, resources, and HR expertise to guide you along the way.