Beyond Expertise: Redefining Leadership in the Modern Workplace Are you telling people often what to do? When is it appropriate to tell your team members what to do versus letting them figure it out for themselves? When mindset and level of awareness are involved? What’s best for both short and long-term goals for the team? When they discover the answer for themselves, it has more meaning and they learn to trust themselves. When you tell them the answer, you might be frustrated that you don’t have time for what’s important and get pulled into operations. When it’s a fact or a great truth, say it, and always ask “What do you think?” Great truths are things like: -Women talk with friends to create bonds.-Men identify strongly with their jobs/careers/work.-Some people are content with the status quo and have no interest in changing. People who think that they are smart, need to tell others what to do, as the others are not smart enough to know. And one of the downsides of that is that you are not open to learning anymore, as you know everything most of the time. So what should you learn about? What I noticed is that most people are working hard to look smart and very few play dumb. I guess both are helpful depending on the context and intentions. Play dumb sometimes Your attitude is critical. If you approach a leadership role as though you’re the expert and you know what’s best for your team, not only you will not be accepted, but you’re also dismissing people’s performance and knowledge. The more you demonstrate curiosity and desire to understand who your people are, the better your leadership skills will grow. Being willing to be wrong about any attitude or belief is imperative. Phrases such as “I’m a little confused” or “I may be wrong, but it seems as though…” not only invite your people to share better information but also demonstrate that you are the outside, objective listener that you should be. And show appreciation for what your people know and achieve through their own experience and that they are empowered for their job results. 🤝 Leadership is not about being right or wrong; it’s about getting your people to believe in their actions. I invite you to find the perfect balance between smart and dumb! Schedule a meeting here and let’s start this journey together!