Most Valuable Move? Respect Your Team, Completely

Summary

Tom Sturges argues that the single most valuable leadership move is to show complete respect for your team — primarily by asking excellent questions and truly listening. He highlights how workplaces have changed, how men and women often approach problems differently, and why framing interactions as questions both preserves dignity and unlocks better ideas. Respect, he says, is demonstrated more effectively by inquiry and engagement than by command.

Key Points

Respect is the strongest currency a leader can offer — it motivates and retains people.
Asking excellent questions shows strength, not weakness; it recognises colleagues’ intellect and invites contribution.
Men and women often communicate differently — women may prefer discussion and detail, men may favour solutions — and leaders should adapt their approach.
Good questions buy time, surface blind spots, and make difficult feedback easier to deliver and receive.
People remember how you made them feel; listening regularly and sincerely builds trust and influence.

Why should I read this?

Short and punchy — if you manage people, this is a tidy checklist for being less of a boss and more of a leader. It’s full of stuff you can start doing tomorrow: ask better questions, listen properly, and stop confusing control with respect. We read it so you don’t have to — quick wins, no waffle.

Context and Relevance

With hybrid work, shifting employee expectations and a greater emphasis on inclusive leadership, Sturges’ advice is timely. The piece connects to broader trends in people management: coaching-style leadership, psychological safety and better decision-making through diverse input. For leaders aiming to improve team performance and morale without structural overhaul, the tactics here are pragmatic and low-cost.

Author

Punchy — Tom Sturges blends experience and plain talk. The article isn’t academic; it’s practical leadership advice from a veteran who’s seen many teams and styles. Treat it as a quick primer on kinder, smarter management.

Source

Source: https://ceoworld.biz/2025/09/15/most-valuable-move-respect-your-team-completely/