"Leadership lives in the messy moments"

If you saw yesterday’s email, you’ll remember the view that leadership happens through participation, not control.

One line in particular has been echoing in my head:

It’s tempting to think that communication means we just need to write the perfect Slack message, the perfectly structured update, or the beautifully crafted announcement, and our job is done.

But widening and deepening communication isn’t about being polished. It’s about being willing to engage in the hard parts of the conversation: uncertainty, disagreement, emotion, discomfort. That’s where trust grows. That’s where understanding expands. That’s where real leadership happens.

Polished words might set the tone.
But if you don’t follow them with presence, questions, and genuine curiosity, they don’t go far.

Leadership means stepping into the messy parts, not just saying the right things from a safe distance.

Where might a little less polish and a little more presence make the difference?

Until next time,
Dermot
​The Messy Middle

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