There’s a moment in leadership that doesn’t get talked about enough.

It’s the moment you realize your team isn’t confused about the work.
They’re confused about you.

About what you expect.
About what matters most.
About how decisions actually get made.

And that realization is uncomfortable.

Because it means the issue isn’t effort or talent.
It’s alignment.

Most leaders assume alignment happens naturally.
They think one kickoff meeting, one strategy deck, one announcement is enough.

It’s not.

Alignment is built in repetition.
In saying the same things, in different ways, over time.
In checking for understanding, not agreement.
In closing the gap between what you mean and what others hear.

When alignment is missing, people don’t ask more questions.
They ask fewer.

They play it safe.
They wait.
They avoid making the wrong call.

But when alignment is strong, teams move with confidence.
Not because everything is simple.
Because direction is clear.

If your team feels hesitant right now, don’t ask:
Why aren’t they stepping up?

Ask:
What might still be unclear?

Leadership isn’t about being followed.
It’s about being understood.