Your presence changes everything
This is often difficult for managers to comprehend. The fact that you are in the room or on a Zoom call with your subordinates has a significant impact on everyone present. Everyone behaves differently when the boss is around. Everyone. And you, as a boss, need to realize this. There are two things to realize here. Firstly, when you are present, people will change who they are and what they say. Secondly, you should consider that fact when deciding whether to be in the room.
It might just be that your presence will suppress the free flow of ideas. Maybe a good idea that needs refining without you there will never be voiced. Maybe people will be hesitant to disagree with your bad idea. You need to be aware of all the subtleties that may or may not happen because you are there.
People will take what you say seriously
Bosses need to realize that what they say, even comments that you might think are flippant and not meant to be taken seriously, will be taken seriously. I have seen entire projects started and completed based on an offhand comment the boss made in a meeting. She was shocked to discover that what she thought was a crazy, casual idea was taken seriously. I’ve seen policies written and followed based on similar situations.
