This weekend I saw Fake It Until You Make It by Larissa FastHorse—a satirical play that pokes fun at nonprofits, race, identity, and culture. One thread that stayed with me was the conversation around privilege—not just racial or cultural privilege, but also the privilege of position.

I remember early in my tenure as a first-time CEO, I made a suggestion in a staff meeting—something that was fine, but far from brilliant. To my surprise the room lit up with enthusiasm. It was flattering…and disconcerting. It would have been easy to take that response as a compliment, to believe I was simply that insightful. But instead, it was a wake-up call.

Leadership is not a right. It’s a privilege we’re entrusted with—and we have to be mindful of how power can distort the dynamics around us.

It’s easy to unintentionally create an echo chamber. So how do we make sure our teams can speak truth to power?

Here are a few practices that have helped me:

• Invite dissent early. Ask for alternate points of view before your own is fully formed.
• Normalize “yes, and…” instead of “yes, ma’am.” Build a culture where ideas are additive and evolving.
• Watch who speaks—and who doesn’t. Facilitate meetings in ways that draw in quieter voices.
• Thank people when they disagree. And mean it.
• Be the last to speak. Especially when it matters most.

True leadership isn’t about always having the best idea. It’s about creating the conditions where the best ideas can emerge—from anyone in the room.