What happens when a new employee ignores their own good instincts and follows the wrong advice instead? In this episode, I share a personal story about a new employee who found himself caught between what his gut was telling him and the advice of a more senior team member. It's also the story of a manager whose four simple words changed the way he saw himself and his future. In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Why the "what do I do in this case?" feeling never really goes away. It's not a beginner's problem but a human one. Every new role, manager, and team brings it back at new altitudes.
• Why "I've got your back" is a verb, AND a feeling. The difference between the slogan and the substance is whether you actually do something visible to prove it.
• Backing your people returns their judgment to them. When you validate good instincts and stand between someone and the risk, you give them the confidence to speak up next time.
• The ripple effect on culture. One leader's choice to back someone or not teaches everyone watching what's safe. Those lessons compound into a culture.
• Why instinct matters more than many leaders realize. Strong judgment isn't developed through policies and manuals alone. It grows when people are encouraged to think critically, trust their observations, and learn from experience.

Three ways to put "I've got your back" into practice:

1. Assume positive intent – even before you have a track record to go on. When someone's new, extend trust in low risk situations.
2. Validate the judgment, not just the feelings. Soothing the feeling misses the transformational lesson. Affirm that their read on the situation was trustworthy.
3. Take visible action. Pick up the phone. Correct the record. Let them see you spend a little of your own capital because this is rocket fuel for helping them feel safe.

This week's challenge: Find one person on your team who's standing in that vulnerable, stretching spot right now. Validate their judgment. Tell them their instincts are good and then do something visible that proves you mean it.

Resources mentioned:

1. EVOLVE Leadership Development Program — Give your leaders a shared foundation and common language for leadership, supported by facilitated conversations that turn learning into lasting change. Learn more at clairelaughlin.com/evolve
2. Episode 65 on psychological safety with Janet Williams — The perfect companion to this episode.

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