One of the most effective leaders I’ve ever worked with was much younger than me but had more leadership skills than people twice her age. She wasn’t afraid to ask questions and she wasn’t afraid to say she didn’t know something, even if it meant admitting that she didn’t have all the answers. She could lead her team effectively because she knew when to step back and let them do their job instead of trying to be the one person in charge of everything, even if that meant giving up some credit or attention from her peers in the company or her managers above her.
If your team is constantly looking at you for answers or recognition, then it’s a good idea to let them know they don’t need to do that. Offer encouragement and praise, especially when they come up with their own solutions. This will allow them to think more independently as leaders of their work environment. A company culture that enables employees can only foster stronger teamwork as time goes on.
It’s hard being a leader. It’s not as simple as it seems, and nobody is right all of the time. Great leaders know that they have made mistakes, are aware of them, understand why they happened, but also accept responsibility. By being open about their mistakes, great leaders gain trust within their team members and inspire others to try new approaches. Being accepting is a quality of a strong leader; one that creates an encouraging company culture which produces extraordinary results!
Humility is a rare quality that sets great leaders apart from everyone else. Being humble doesn’t mean you’re meek or submissive, it means that you are willing to listen, be taught by others, and ask questions when needed. These actions encourage growth within yourself as well as within your company culture.
The best leaders don’t just know their own jobs inside out, they can also read people. They know when to ask for help from colleagues, vendors or even clients; they understand how their company culture impacts people’s willingness (or unwillingness) to share information with them; and they are completely comfortable admitting I don’t know. If you want your organization to flourish, you need a leader who embraces these values.
We’ve all been there: we’re working towards a solution, but nothing seems to be working. The harder we try, usually, the more we stress ourselves out and feel as if things aren’t getting any better. But there are times when it is okay to admit that you don’t know what you’re doing.