One myth about great leadership I wish we could bury is that being a leader means you’re distant, neutral, and have all the answers. That seems very unrealistic to me, and I have not yet worked with or for a leader who didn’t occasionally show the opposite. Believing in this myth, we’re forgetting that a part of being human is getting bogged down, involved, and troubled.
It pays off to open up
I’ve learned that disclosing my own struggles, hardships, and honest opinions with my team doesn’t undermine the trust we’ve built but strengthens it. It sends a strong message that it’s okay to be human, and it fosters a healthy, supportive work environment as a result.
After years of avoiding admitting that I don’t have an answer, speaking a lot without saying much, and procrastinating on following up, I’ve made a promise to myself to do better. How did I go about it?
Come clean
If you have no clue, admit it. If you’re struggling, share it. If you can’t handle something and would benefit from a helping hand, ask for it. Simpler said than done, but necessary.
Stay curious
I might not know how to do something, but if I’m curious and eager to learn, there is a path to success ahead. Turning challenges into learning opportunities is not something people will see on the outside, but something you need to change on the inside. It’s all about framing what happens to us.
Pair up or delegate
If a shared challenge is overwhelming and beyond my current level of abilities, saying “I don’t know how to do it, but let’s try to figure it out together” is often the best thing to do. If neither of you is well-suited for it, consider delegating the task. Ask yourself who would do a good job here and who can support them. It’s not all on you.
