Honesty and humility – Wolves delivered off the pitch even amid the failures on it.
Rob Edwards, Matt Jackson and Nathan Shi were grilled by fans for 90 minutes at Molineux on Tuesday evening as supporters aired their concerns and feelings.
At a Q&A with 250 supporters at Molineux hosted by BBC WM the hierarchy faced their harshest critics following relegation from the Premier League.
Owners Fosun’s commitment to the club, next season’s promotion plans, failed recruitment, the future of Edwards and Jackson, stadium refurbishments and ticket prices were all on the agenda.
One supporter confessed he had no confidence in Edwards as manager while another earned a round of applause when he said the players had no pride and were despicable, especially following Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton.
Jackson defended the squad – earning a few rebukes from the crowd – in the most fraught moment of the evening.
Edwards did bite once, replying to a fan that he appreciated the feedback after one particularly critical question but he held his own, defending his work and his record.
Shi, the newly installed executive chairman, will have surprised many in the room with his open and smooth communication style.
Answers relating to Fosun were perhaps a little vague and he sensibly did not offer any hard and fast promises but he was sharp and open.
“That’s all you want?” quipped Shi, replying to a fan who said all supporters wanted was the Liquidator to be played pre-match.
It was a departure from his much-criticised predecessor Jeff Shi, the target of so much fans’ ire before his November exit.
The promises were there, to listen and learn and prove to fans those in charge can be trusted with the direction of the club.
Wolves could have dropped the shutters and remained silent during the worst season in the club’s history.
Instead they are willing to have the conversations.
The trio stayed afterwards for pictures, autographs and more discussions. Edwards and Jackson remained for over half an hour talking to those fans who were not able to ask questions.
That is not a club who will hide from responsibility and accountability.
They still need to back up their words with actions and the doubters will remain but, as Wolves prepare for the Championship, it was a good start.