Why great leaders are willing to put themselves at stake

We’ve written a lot about how effective leaders create psychologically safe environments where their teams feel able to speak freely. But who creates the space for leaders themselves to voice uncomfortable truths, challenge what they see around them, and be authentic about what needs to change? Too often, the answer is no one.

In this article, we explore why leaders need the courage to step beyond their own sense of safety and say and do what’s necessary to fulfil their commitments.

The courage to speak openly

We all withhold things sometimes. This could be choosing not to say what we really think, or keeping parts of ourselves hidden from colleagues. In many ways, our identities are shaped as much by what we choose not to say as by what we share. We might hold back because we fear how others will respond, or doubt that speaking up will make any difference.

At best, this creates sterile meetings where issues are passed around like hot potatoes, with no one willing to grasp them and respond honestly. At worst, it leads to a culture of wilful blindness, where important information is collectively overlooked because confronting it feels too uncomfortable.

Creating psychological safety for a team is essential, but as a leader you also have to be prepared to model the openness you want to see. That means being honest about your own uncertainties, acknowledging when you don’t have all the answers, and staying fully committed to the vision you’re trying to realise.

Making yourself vulnerable

If you don’t genuinely believe in the future you are trying to create, you are likely to hold something back when the pressure rises.

Honesty can attract criticism, and being authentic can be uncomfortable. Leaders are closely associated with the commitments they make, so questions about a goal can quickly become judgements about the person pursuing it. Sharing doubts, admitting unanswered questions or raising information that appears to contradict the vision can be interpreted as weakness.

But these conversations are actually just a part of making progress. By being open about the challenges, you are encouraging others to work through breakdowns and find solutions together. As a leader, your willingness to speak honestly helps establish psychological safety while showing what can be achieved when people are prepared to raise difficult issues.

Authenticity also makes space for more generous listening. As a leader, it’s important to step outside your own perspective and hear what others are actually saying, rather than interpreting every contribution through existing beliefs. When people see that their views are genuinely heard, they become more willing to speak openly. Over time, this can create a culture where concerns are surfaced earlier and ideas are tested more rigorously.

What does it mean to put yourself at stake?

When we talk about leaders taking risks and withholding nothing, we mean putting yourself at stake, not simply risking your identity as a leader. That means being willing to lose face and potentially put your reputation or position on the line in pursuit of the future you’ve declared.

Being at stake is a proactive choice. It means seeking out difficult and uncomfortable situations rather than waiting for risk to arrive and then trying to manage it. Through deliberate action, you can create opportunities for ideas to be tested and assumptions challenged. Through all this, your focus should remain on realising the vision, even when doing so calls for a fundamental rethink of your own approach.

Seeking out people who’ll challenge you

So, what does it look like when you’re genuinely putting yourself at stake as a leader? One sign is that you actively seek out people who will challenge you. People with different perspectives, experiences and expertise who are prepared to defend their views.

Working with people who challenge your thinking can be demanding, but rigorous debate helps expose weaknesses and strengthen ideas before they become costly mistakes. This openness also means being willing to ask for support. Leaders who are committed to achieving the best possible outcome, rather than protecting their own image, will seek help and remain open to learning.

If you’re looking to develop more authentic leadership and create the conditions for breakthrough performance, get in touch.