Fearless Leadership: Embracing not knowing

Episode 16 of the Leading Change Conversations podcast, hosted by Ulrike Seminati, titled "Fearless Leadership: Embracing not knowing" was published on May 14, 2024 and runs 31 minutes.

May 14, 2024 ·31m · Leading Change Conversations

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Summary

In this episode, Ulrike and her guest Erika Darmstaedter explore the challenge of managing the fear of not having all the answers as leaders and how admitting uncertainty can foster authenticity and trust within teams. Leaders, especially in higher positions, often feel compelled to have all the answers. This pressure can lead them to provide responses even when they're unsure, fearing that admitting ignorance might undermine their credibility. But actually, the opposite is true. Pretending to know when unsure can erode trust and credibility over time. It can lead to resistance when discrepancies arise between stated knowledge and reality.Our best picks on how to shift from the fear of not knowing to a constructive approach:Letting Go of Old Ideas: In today's world, leadership isn't solely about possessing knowledge but also about knowing where to find information. Leaders must overcome the ingrained notion that their value is solely determined by their knowledge.Learning to Admit in a Safe Space: Creating a safe environment to admit uncertainty is crucial. Leaders should practice acknowledging their lack of knowledge in a trusted setting before applying it in real-life situations.Creating a Learning Environment: Being open about uncertainties in meetings sets a positive example and encourages others to do the same. This fosters a culture of learning and collaboration.Repositioning Not Knowing as Valuable: Rather than viewing uncertainty as a weakness, leaders should see it as an opportunity to enhance understanding and prevent misunderstandings. Asking questions adds value to projects by providing clarity and detail.Maintaining a North Star: While embracing uncertainty, it's essential for leaders to maintain a clear long-term goal or purpose. This acts as a guiding principle while remaining flexible in execution, fostering consistency and credibility throughout the process.Relearning that perfection isn't necessary takes time and self-awareness. However, embracing authenticity and admitting uncertainty can ultimately lead to increased trust and support from those around you.Join us next time as we continue to explore strategies for effective leadership and personal growth. Remember, it's okay not to have all the answers. Embracing uncertainty is the first step towards authentic leadership.Tune in next time for more insights on leadership and organizational dynamics. If you want to improve your own skills in leading change or communicating more effectively, check out Ulrike’s online live courses for individuals here.Thanks for tuning into 'Leading Change Conversations'! We hope you found our discussion inspiring and informative. Remember to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoyed it. Plus, sign up for our Newsletter to access our practical transformation roadmaps regularly. Until next time, keep leading, keep learning, and making a difference!About Erika DarmstaedterErika is a global business leader with 30+ years in the creative industry, including 20+ years in CEO- and C-Suite and Board roles. She is Co-founder of Collective 63, a business-transformation advisory, Non-Executive Chairperson of the Avantgarde Brand Experience network, and Advisor to various tech-startups. She holds mentorship roles at The Founder Institute, the University of St. Gallen and INSEAD Alumni. Her expertise is directed at transforming companies into resilient entities poised for future challenges while championing gender equality and addressing ageism in the evolving business landscapes.https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikadarmstaedter/ About Ulrike SeminatiUlrike is a globally operating coach, trainer, and consultant who brings a wealth of experience as a former C-level executive to her expertise in authentic leadership and impactful communication. By blending the latest self-development methodologies with her extensive practical experience in leading across all levels of hierarchy, she enables leaders to establish trust and lead change through effective communication. Ulrike's clients benefit from her pragmatic and user-friendly tools that enable them to make lasting improvements.Connect with Ulrike!Website: https://ulrikeseminati.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulrikeseminati/Email: [email protected]

Episode Description

Leaders, especially in higher positions, often feel compelled to have all the answers. This pressure can lead them to provide responses even when they're unsure, fearing that admitting ignorance might undermine their credibility. But actually, the opposite is true. Pretending to know when unsure can erode trust and credibility over time. It can lead to resistance when discrepancies arise between stated knowledge and reality.

Our best picks on how to shift from the fear of not knowing to a constructive approach:

Letting Go of Old Ideas: In today's world, leadership isn't solely about possessing knowledge but also about knowing where to find information. Leaders must overcome the ingrained notion that their value is solely determined by their knowledge.
Learning to Admit in a Safe Space: Creating a safe environment to admit uncertainty is crucial. Leaders should practice acknowledging their lack of knowledge in a trusted setting before applying it in real-life situations.
Creating a Learning Environment: Being open about uncertainties in meetings sets a positive example and encourages others to do the same. This fosters a culture of learning and collaboration.
Repositioning Not Knowing as Valuable: Rather than viewing uncertainty as a weakness, leaders should see it as an opportunity to enhance understanding and prevent misunderstandings. Asking questions adds value to projects by providing clarity and detail.
Maintaining a North Star: While embracing uncertainty, it's essential for leaders to maintain a clear long-term goal or purpose. This acts as a guiding principle while remaining flexible in execution, fostering consistency and credibility throughout the process.

Relearning that perfection isn't necessary takes time and self-awareness. However, embracing authenticity and admitting uncertainty can ultimately lead to increased trust and support from those around you.

Join us next time as we continue to explore strategies for effective leadership and personal growth. Remember, it's okay not to have all the answers. Embracing uncertainty is the first step towards authentic leadership.

Tune in next time for more insights on leadership and organizational dynamics. If you want to improve your own skills in leading change or communicating more effectively, check out Ulrike’s online live courses for individuals here.

Thanks for tuning into 'Leading Change Conversations'! We hope you found our discussion inspiring and informative. Remember to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoyed it. Plus, sign up for our Newsletter to access our practical transformation roadmaps regularly.

Until next time, keep leading, keep learning, and making a difference!

About Erika Darmstaedter

Erika is a global business leader with 30+ years in the creative industry, including 20+ years in CEO- and C-Suite and Board roles. She is Co-founder of Collective 63, a business-transformation advisory, Non-Executive Chairperson of the Avantgarde Brand Experience network, and Advisor to various tech-startups. She holds mentorship roles at The Founder Institute, the University of St. Gallen and INSEAD Alumni. Her expertise is directed at transforming companies into resilient entities poised for future challenges while championing gender equality and addressing ageism in the evolving business landscapes.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikadarmstaedter/

About Ulrike Seminati

Ulrike is a globally operating coach, trainer, and consultant who brings a wealth of experience as a former C-level executive to her expertise in authentic leadership and impactful communication. By blending the latest self-development methodologies with her extensive practical experience in leading across all levels of hierarchy, she enables leaders to establish trust and lead change through effective communication. Ulrike's clients benefit from her pragmatic and user-friendly tools that enable them to make lasting improvements.

Connect with Ulrike!

Website: https://ulrikeseminati.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulrikeseminati/

Email: [email protected]

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