July 2026 Part 8: Not only listen to the opinions of your close associates and those you favor, but also listen to the voices of those who are silent

Some business leaders behave like autocratic rulers or dictators. They make business decisions based only on the opinions of their close associates or opinions that are pleasing to their ears. Some leaders listen to the opinions of people they like but completely ignore those they dislike. If a leader favors subordinates who offer pleasant opinions and ostracizes those who express disliked opinions, the company will gradually develop an atmosphere where it is difficult to express correct opinions, and eventually, there will be no one left who can speak the truth.
It is dangerous for business owners to make management decisions based solely on their likes and dislikes. While autocratic managers may seem fine when things are going well, they are unable to turn back when things go wrong, making it easy for their companies to collapse. Autocratic managers who are overconfident in their intuition and judgment are especially unable to reflect on their own mistakes and continue down the path to ruin. This is because they are surrounded only by yes-men who share the same opinions as the manager, and there is no one left to speak the truth. Just as Putin brought down Russia, foolish and autocratic managers will bring down their own companies.
Business leaders should listen to a wide range of opinions. Don't just listen to your close associates and those you favor; gather the voices that you wouldn't normally hear?the voices that are silent. Proper information gathering is essential for making sound business decisions. By listening to these silent voices, you can discover the true path your company should take.

*Return to Topics