I should have learnt this by now.
Being right as a leader is not as important as being effective.
Sure, it’s fine to come up with answers to questions from the team. That’s usually all they want.
But when there is an issue at play, a consideration to consider, a choice of direction to take, imposing the right answer is rarely the most effective response.
Even if the facts are in the leader’s favour, it doesn’t mean the team will follow.
The team needs to feel empowered in choosing the path of their own choice using their own rationale. The leader’s role is to support the thinking towards the right direction.
We should have learnt this by now. It’s what we realised when we were bringing up our kids. The smugness of being right had limited success. The need to shepherd and share an experience won out.
Being right and victorious means nothing.
