The Mindsets
2. I don’t have all the answers
Leadership behavior: Involving and listening to others
Leadership starts with us, but it’s not about us.
It’s about our team and making sure they have the opportunity to contribute and grow. This mindset begins with clearly setting the context and then being open to including others in our decision-making process and accepting both input and feedback. By actively communicating context to others and then soliciting the opinions and ideas of all, we ensure we aren’t leaving good ideas on the table and that our team is making an impact where it counts most.
Recognizing the value in all members of our team — and of others in the organization — means that we are making more efficient use of human capital, are less likely to make mistakes, and are more likely to improve as a leader over time.
What it looks like
- Proactively and clearly communicates to set the context and expectations
- Creates conditions for others to contribute and grow
- Actively includes and respects all voices and possibilities
- Is curious about others’ successes and how to learn from them
- Demonstrates confidence in the team by encouraging, supporting and recognizing initiative
- Invests in self-development
Self-reflection
- How often do I reflect on a conversation and realize that I have done most of the talking?
- How often do I solicit ideas from my team?
- In what ways do I provide others the context for my decisions?
- Do I regularly seek new perspectives, or do I usually listen to the same voices?
- How can I learn from the successes of others?
- Do my team members have regular opportunities to grow and develop?
- When was the last time I gave my team encouragement or made them feel empowered?