Leadership Isn’t a Private Channel

I remember a time when my manager asked me to remove a key designer from a working channel because it was “meant for fleet leads and senior team members only.”

It felt wrong.

The designer in question was actively contributing to the work, had context, and more importantly—had perspective. Removing them didn’t just seem unnecessary—it seemed counter to everything we talk about when we say we want collaborative, empowered teams.

That moment stuck with me. Not because it was malicious, but because it revealed something about how hierarchy can quietly corrode trust.

Exclusivity Sends a Message (Whether You Mean It or Not)

When we say things like:

• “This meeting isn’t for you.”

• “You’re not senior enough for this conversation.”

• “Let’s keep this decision between leads.”

We may think we’re being efficient. Protecting focus. Reducing noise.

But here’s what it often feels like to the team:

• You’re not trusted.

• Your input isn’t valuable.

• You only matter when we say you do.

Even if that’s not the intention, the impact is real. It creates a silent divide between those “in the room” and those doing the work.

A Seat at the Table Is a Learning Opportunity

Leadership isn’t just about decision-making—it’s about modeling how decisions are made. When junior or mid-level designers are invited into those rooms, even as observers, they gain insight into:

• How tradeoffs are discussed

• What matters to business or tech partners

• How alignment is reached (or missed)

Removing them from that exposure isn’t protection—it’s a missed opportunity for growth.

Building a Culture of Inclusion Over Ego

Real leadership isn’t about preserving power—it’s about sharing context, creating clarity, and opening doors.

If we say “we’re all leaders,” then we need to act like it:

• Be generous with access.

• Be transparent with intent.

• Invite the quiet voices in, not just the loud ones.

Final Thought

We can’t build empowered teams with locked doors. And we definitely can’t expect initiative, creativity, or ownership from people who feel shut out.

Leadership should never be a private Slack channel. It should be a practice of inviting people in, building them up, and giving them the context they need to lead from wherever they stand.