I’ve seen too many instances when a leader asks for feedback, but their mind has already been made. Or if they haven’t already made up their mind, they’re still open to overruling the opinion of others. 

A very public example of this is when a British National Environmental Research Council asked for the internet to pitch and vote on a new name for their giant research vessel, and when Boaty McBoatface emerged the victor, they went with something else. 

Pbbbttfffft. Weak.

That not only upsets people, but also proves that you’re not trustworthy – after all, just because you don’t like the outcome, if you asked for a vote on something, you live with it. 

That’s what leaders do.