How do you lead a team of experts when you don’t understand what they do? Quick Hits
I worked with someone once who said that it was his job to provide people with air support so that they could do their jobs.
In other words, the best leaders know that they don’t have to be the smartest person in the room. They just have to know how to direct their team’s expertise so that everyone moves towards the same goal.
Dr. Mohan Ananda, Jim Comer, JC Glick and Annette Richmond have all advised and worked closely with leaders across a variety of fields and they all agree that great leaders tend to have two core qualities: attentiveness and humility.
“It’s not just the expertise, it’s the integrity of the person. You should be more of a listener rather than telling them what to do.” (Dr. Mohan Ananda)
“The most important thing I can say to anyone on the team is, ‘I don’t understand. What do you mean?’” (Jim Comer)
“Even if I think I know what people do, it’s important to say that maybe I don’t know what I think I know. Humility is really important.” (JC Glick)
“Listen and learn.” (Annette Richmond)
Have you either had to lead experts or been the expert with a boss who had no idea what you do? How did that work?
Connect with the panelists:
Annette Richmond: / annetterichmond
Dr. Mohan Ananda: / mohanananda
Dr Robyn Odegaard: / robynodegaard
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