You Don't Have All the Answers

As people in leadership roles, we often become confident that we have really good ideas.

It might even be true. However, if we surround ourselves with “yes-men” (yes-people?), then we will eventually regress toward mediocrity. And sometimes, that lack of feedback leads to embarrassing failures that diminish the leader’s reputation (The Phantom Menace, Twitter, etc.)

Encourage your people to come to you with new ideas and to suggest improvements for yours. Give them credit for their contributions and insights. Specifically ask them to brainstorm ways to make things better. It actually adds to your reputation as an effective leader to be able to say, “I was thinking we could do X, but I’d love to hear any ideas you have that would improve on that plan.” And then LISTEN to what they say and incorporate their useful insights.

Your people will feel valued and respected. They will feel empowered in solving problems and moving projects forward. It will improve retention and empowerment on your team.

AND you get better ideas that lead to better results!

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