How to be a less intimidating manager (without lowering your standards)

Is your team intimidated by you? And if they are, how would you know?

Many leaders unintentionally or unconsciously create an environment that’s unnecessarily fear-based, whether through their communication style, decision-making, or even the pace they expect from their team.

A study by OnePoll and HR software company Bambee found that 60% of U.S. workers feel too intimidated to go to their boss or manager with an issue they’re having. That’s significant, cosidering bosses have a disproportionate impact on employee well-being. The Workforce Institute at UKG found that a manager’s influence on an employee’s mental health is equal to that of an employee’s spouse or partner—and greater than that of an employee’s doctor and therapist.

The good news is that once you become aware of behaviors