How to Build a Leadership Team That Doesn’t Just Agree With You
One of the worst leadership experiences I ever had was working with someone who wouldn’t listen — not to their leadership team, and certainly not to their staff.
They made decisions in a vacuum, dismissed concerns, and had zero interest in hearing “no.” At one point, a key team member raised their hand with major concerns about an operational move. The leader brushed it off — and the fallout took months to clean up.
That’s not leadership. That’s ego management.
And unfortunately, a lot of law firm owners fall into this same trap: hiring “loyal executors” instead of true thought partners.
What Real Leadership Looks Like
Strong leaders:
Listen actively
Seek out smarter people — especially in specialized roles
Welcome challenge and feedback
Share decision-making, not just delegation
If your team always agrees with you, you might be the problem.
Signs You’ve Built a “Yes” Culture
You’re the only one pointing out risks
Ideas die after one round of discussion
You feel like you’re leading alone
Staff doesn’t escalate issues early — or at all
You’re always “the smartest person in the room”
How to Build a Real Leadership Team
Hire people who are experts in their area
You’re not supposed to be better at marketing, ops, or HR than your department leads. Let them lead.Create space for input
Regular leadership meetings. Clear agendas. A culture that invites disagreement.Normalize feedback loops
From the top down and the bottom up. If no one’s giving feedback, no one feels safe enough to.Reward contribution, not compliance
Celebrate the leader who says “I disagree — and here’s why.” That’s how firms grow.
Where a COO Helps Build Leadership Muscle
Facilitates honest discussions and conflict resolution
Helps define roles and ownership across leadership
Builds cadences for feedback and decision-making
Coaches leaders to speak up — and follow through
Ensures strategic priorities don’t get stuck at the top
You don’t just need a team that says yes. You need a team that makes things better.
If your leadership team is just following your lead — and not helping drive the firm — it’s time to fix that. Let’s build a team that challenges, aligns, and delivers.