I had a conversation with a leader on a talent programme recently, who had the light bulb moment that, wait for it, they didn’t actually need to know all the answers. They had previously thought that they would eventually get to a certain stage in their career and that would be it – they would have arrived, and they would have all the answers.
Of course, leaders need to be confident in their vision, the desired destination; however, some fall into the trap of being overconfident (or feeling the need to over project confidence). They direct the next steps, even when they are uncertain about the best way forward. The destination may be fixed/necessary but inevitably there will be many possible routes to get there.
Too much self-confidence can limit our ability to see all the options. As counterintuitive as it may seem, the more we as leaders are willing to be vulnerable, the more we empower others, and the best results come from harnessing the capabilities within a team to determine the best route forward.
Leaders who map out the route with their people—rather than for them can create systems, processes, and cultures that reflect how people work and how they work best. These leaders don’t just contend with change, they design it and make it so, and even better they involve their teams and bring them on the journey too!
So, have you figured it out? Leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers, it is about being curious and collaborative, seeking to be better and navigating, with others, to that destination.
With that in mind, take time to think:
- What problem are you facing at the moment?
- To what extent have you tried to solve it yourself versus outlining the outcome you are after and asking others for ideas on how to get there?
- How comfortable do you feel saying “I don’t know”?
- What steps are you taking to actively encourage collaboration and innovation?
As leaders, we can show our people that we are role modelling the changes that all of us want to see. Let’s be better and be the change – contact [email protected] if you would like help to do so.
For more articles, encouraging you to think and be the change – visit here.