New to Leadership? You don’t have to BE right. You just have to know WHAT is right.

Being a leader is often associated with having all the right answers because, as children, many of us learned to seek answers from people in positions of authority and leadership. And since their answer was typically the right answer, we associate positions of leadership and authority with the need to BE right…which is wrong.

In boot camp, Marines are taught a simple phrase to use when answering questions: “Recruit don’t know, but will find out!” (of course, the statement begins and ends with “sir”). This phrase does two things: 1) it demonstrates humility, and 2) it reinforces the notion that you’re not always going to know the answer, so don’t fake it and pretend like you do. Faking it will certainly cause you to be “found out” by your team, and it’s better to find out the answer than to be found out.

The need to BE right will limit you

Junior leaders, hear me when I say this…the best leaders don’t know everything and they don’t have all the solutions to the problems that come their way. More importantly, the best leaders will tell you that their answer is not the right answer. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand that BEing right is not the goal; focus instead on knowing WHAT is the right answer.

For people new to leadership positions, you may feel that BEing right makes you stand out, but eventually you will reach a point where you don’t even have an answer. The desire to BE right will lead to a rigid mindset, which can result in missed opportunities and lack of growth. When you focus on BEing right, you limit yourself to only what you know and believe to be true. It can be challenging to admit that you don’t have all the answers, but it is essential to recognize that you don’t and you never will.

Focusing on WHAT is right will grow you

On the other hand, when you focus on WHAT is right, you show that you have the judgment and wisdom that leadership requires. This mindset requires humility, which is a trait that great leaders possess. Humility means acknowledging your limitations and being open to learning from others. When you approach situations with humility, you demonstrate that you are not afraid to admit that you don’t know everything. This, in turn, will allow you to learn and grow as a leader.

Focusing on WHAT is right means that you are open to new ideas and perspectives. It means that you are willing to listen to others and consider their opinions. It means that you are not afraid to change your mind if you find that your original approach was wrong. This approach requires a growth mindset, which is essential for any leader who wants to succeed in today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving landscape.

It’s crucial to understand that no leader is required to have all the answers, let along all the right answers – don’t fall into that trap. Instead, focus on WHAT is right and watch your leadership skills grow.

Call to Action: New to leadership? Seek a mentor or someone you trust to guide you.