Embracing Vulnerability: The Unseen Strength of Leadership
"Have you ever sat in a meeting, feeling like the only one who didn’t understand, yet too afraid to ask for fear of looking foolish?"
This post is about the little things we can do to shape our workplace culture.
The question above, seemingly simple, touches on a deep-seated fear that I have often experienced in professional settings. It reminds me of a pivotal moment early in my tenure as a senior manager, when my own senior manager shared a piece of advice that would fundamentally alter my approach to leadership: "You need to ask the dumbest questions in the room to set everyone up to ask other questions. If you don't understand something as the senior leader in the room and don't ask, chances are nobody will."
This advice isn't about undermining one's own credibility; rather, it's a profound exercise in courage and humility. It's about dismantling the barriers to open communication and fostering an environment where curiosity is not just welcomed but valued. In the advice everyone - leaders and individual contributors - is given to grow, grand ideals like courage and humility are often named first. However, these concepts are daunting in their abstraction. Yet, it's the little things we do every day that truly shape the culture of our teams and organisations.
In my own practice, I've seen how this approach can transform meetings and, over time, the entire team dynamic. Initially, I would feel a surge of nervousness when asking these "dumb" questions. A ‘dumb’ question is for instance asking for clarification when a presenter made it seem like everyone was supposed to know what was on the screen. What I observed is that over time, the act of asking these questions invariably shifted the tone of the conversations, making them more inclusive and open. Over time, presenters would start anticipating these questions, adapting their communication to be more accessible to everyone; and people in the audience would also start asking these questions on their own.
It's important to note that such a culture doesn't emerge from a single question or meeting. It's built through consistent practice, fostering an atmosphere where everyone, from new joiners to seasoned team members, feels empowered to express their curiosity. Reflecting on this, I've received feedback that highlights the value of creating such an environment—one where mutual respect and critical thinking flourish.
In summary,
Embrace Vulnerability: Leaders should not shy away from asking "dumb" questions. Doing so can demystify complex topics and encourage open communication.
Foster Curiosity and Respect: Cultivating an environment where every team member feels comfortable expressing their curiosity is vital for fostering mutual respect and critical thinking - and takes time.
Take Action: Make it a practice in your next meeting to ask a question that may seem basic or obvious. This simple action can significantly shift the team's dynamic towards a more inclusive and understanding culture.
What are the little things you do as leaders, or see your leaders do, to foster a culture of inquiry, critical thinking, and mutual respect? How do you ensure that your team feels comfortable asking the "dumb" questions that can lead to collective growth and understanding?
