Discretion & Discipline
Have you ever said the wrong thing, at the wrong time, to the wrong person? Early in my career, I did. I struggled with the balance of knowing when to speak and when to stay silent. As a leader, I thought sharing my thoughts openly was always the best approach, but I quickly learned that wasn’t the case. There were moments where my words caused confusion, or worse—undermined the team’s confidence. I wish I had known about the Discretion and Discipline tool back then.
Discretion and Discipline
As senior leaders, you know the power of your words. Every statement, decision, or comment you make carries weight and can shift the direction of your team. But what happens when you say the right thing at the wrong time? Or share critical information with the wrong audience?
The Discretion and Discipline tool helps leaders avoid these common pitfalls by ensuring you ask three critical questions before communicating:
What to Share– How much information is truly necessary to share at this moment?
Who to Share It With – Is this the right person or group to share this with?
When to Share It – Is now the right time and context to bring this up, or should it wait?
Why you should care
As leaders climb higher in their roles, their words carry increasing authority. That’s why discretion is key to maintaining alignment and trust within your organization. Saying too much can cause unnecessary confusion or even worry, while holding back too much might leave your team feeling disconnected or uninformed.
This tool ensures that your communication builds clarity, aligns with team objectives, and fosters trust within your leadership circle.
Application
Here are some practical ways to incorporate this tool into your daily leadership:
Take an Intentional Pause: Before making any statement, ask yourself, “Is this the right information to share?” Pausing can be the difference between creating clarity and causing confusion.
Consider the Audience:Make sure the information is directed to the right people. Does your team need this information, or is it better suited for a specific individual? Sharing with the wrong group can create more harm than good.
Timing is Everything: Even if the message is right, consider whether the timing is appropriate. Will sharing it now lead to unnecessary stress or distract from other priorities?
Intentional Leadership
The best leaders are intentional with their words. The Discretion and Discipline tool can help you ensure that every conversation you have serves a clear purpose and aligns with the long-term goals of your team and organization.
As you go into the week, I challenge you to take an intentional pause before your next big conversation. Use this tool to filter what you share, who you share it with, and when you deliver it. You'll likely notice a shift in how your team responds and how aligned they become with your vision.
Contact us now if you want to learn more about how to apply this tool with your team & your organization.
