In thinking about leadership values this quarter I came across a quote from Steve Jobs “It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.”
Embracing the wisdom of your team is a demonstration of leadership humility. It requires high levels of confidence to recognise that, as a leader, you don’t have all the answers. It means having trust in your team’s skills and insights, understanding that they possess specialised and invaluable knowledge.
This principle communicates respect for every individual’s capability and acknowledges that expertise resides in collective intelligence. It fosters a sense of belonging, where every voice is not only heard but actively valued.
This approach liberates team members from the confines of outdated “I say, you do” directives, allowing them to succeed in an environment that truly encourages autonomy. It inspires them to take ownership of their roles, knowing that their contribution is essential to the organisation’s success.
A culture such as this surely generates a ripple effect of positive outcomes, enhances job satisfaction, leading to higher levels of productivity.
It’s a reminder for me that leadership is not about knowing everything but about recognising the collective brilliance in our teams, and of course having the confidence to let it shine, maybe even outshining you.
Kirsty Ritchie
