I go and see for myself rather than relying solely on reports.

I show up where the work happens without scheduling a formal visit.

I listen more than I talk when I'm on the ground.

I know my information gets more filtered the higher I sit; I actively counteract this.

I give people explicit permission to tell me unwelcome truths.

I respond to bad news in ways that keep it flowing.

I test what reports say against what my own eyes see.

I ask frontline people directly what's broken and what's working.

I distinguish between what is actually happening and what I assume is happening.

I have discovered problems through direct observation that reports had hidden.