Leadership in a Room Full of Opinions

By Jerome D. Ryans, President & CEO, Tampa Housing Authority

Leadership is not about having the loudest voice in the room. It is about knowing when to speak-and more importantly, when to listen. In my experience, the most effective leaders are not those who dominate the conversation, but those who create space for others to be heard, especially when the opinions expressed are not in agreement with their own.

A leader's decisions are often made in the presence of competing priorities and passionate perspectives, therefore the ability to navigate a diversity of opinions is not optional-it is essential. It begins with listening. Not passive listening, but intentional, focused listening that seeks to understand, not just respond.

Dissenting opinions are not threats to leadership. They are opportunities. When someone disagrees, it is often because they are seeing something the rest of us may have missed. A good leader listens to those voices, not to silence them, but to learn from them. That is how we sharpen our thinking and avoid blind spots.

However, listening is only the first step. Once we have heard the concerns, we must take the time to educate. In many cases, opposition stems from incomplete or outdated information. It is our responsibility to ensure that all stakeholders are working from the same set of facts. Only then can we ask for their informed opinion-and only then can we begin to build consensus.

There are other strategies I have found helpful when trying to win support for an idea, particularly in a group setting. One of the most effective is to engage key individuals in one-on-one conversations before the larger meeting. These conversations allow for deeper dialogue, the opportunity to address concerns privately, and the chance to build trust. By the time the idea is presented to the full group, the leader should already have a clear sense of how the room will respond.

Peer influence can also play a role. When respected voices in the room express support, it often encourages others to reconsider their position, but this only works if the leader has done the groundwork-listening, educating, and aligning with the mission.

Reading the room is another critical skill. A leader must remain acutely aware of how the message being delivered is perceived and received by the audience. If the energy shifts, if body language changes, if confusion or resistance begins to surface, the leader must be prepared to adjust. That may mean pausing to clarify, asking a question to re-engage the group, or even postponing a decision to allow for further discussion. Flexibility is not weakness. It is wisdom.

Once a decision is made, a leader must then stand by it. No one wants to support someone who wavers. Mistakes will happen-it is part of leadership. However, if a decision was made with integrity, informed by facts, and aligned with the mission, then it deserves to be defended. A leader who is willing to listen, learn, and then lead with conviction earns the respect of their team-even when the outcome is not perfect.

At the Tampa Housing Authority, our mission is to cultivate affordable housing while empowering people and transforming communities. This mission is our compass. It guides every decision we make. When opinions differ-and they will-we return to that mission. We ask ourselves: Does this move us closer to our goal? If the answer is yes, then we move forward with confidence.

Leadership is not about being right all the time. It is about being responsible all the time. Listen well. Educate thoughtfully. Decide boldly. And let your mission be the reason you stand firm.