Influence & Impact for Leaders Ep 184 – You don't need to have all the answers when you are a leader
Jun 16, 2025
The conversation challenges the myth that leaders must always have the answers. It explores cognitive flexibility and the value of listening. It looks at why letting teams learn and make mistakes builds capability. It covers shifting from specialist to generalist leadership and the impact of asking powerful questions to develop others.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Always Having Answers Signals Closed-Minded Leadership
- You don't want a leader who always has the answers because that often signals someone who thinks they're always right.
- Carla Miller argues that such leaders become defensive, vague, or dismissive and fail to bring out the best in people.
Coaching Clients Describe Ego-Driven Managers
- Carla Miller recounts hearing stories from coaching clients about managers who always assume they're right.
- She notes those managers have lots of ego and do not bring out the best in their teams.
Practice Cognitive Flexibility In Meetings
- Develop cognitive flexibility by entering meetings with a view but staying genuinely open-minded to other perspectives.
- Carla Miller says this lets you truly listen, engage the room, and gather wider inputs before deciding.
