One of the most important truths to remember as a leader is this: Just because you’re in charge, doesn’t mean you have all the answers. In fact, often, the most powerful answers to the questions we struggle with the most come from the people we least expect.
When we’re overwhelmed with the decisions we’re making and the environment that’s causing us to make decisions, sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is pose the question to everyone around us. From the newest hire to the seasoned veteran, from the part-time contractor to your fellow VP — ask your entire team. Einstein said we can’t solve a problem with the same thinking that got us into the problem, so don’t rely on your own thinking over and over again.
It seems to me that those who have the eyes or experience to realize there’s something broken usually need the help of other people to figure out how to solve it. For instance, when you’re driving your car and something’s not working, you might be the one who found the problem — but unless you’re a mechanic, you’re not likely the one who can fix it. Posing a problem to other perspectives on your team means you’ll be more likely to find solution at a level of performance you could never have achieved on your own.
You as a leader are in the unique position to collect feedback to solve the problem. That’s leadership. It’s not having all the answers; it’s knowing where to look and how to find them.
