ACTION: You feel compelled to act immediately and decisively.
Each year, I reassess my strengths using the same assessment tool I use with my coaching clients.
Now was as good a time as any…and no surprise, ‘action’ was at the top of my list of ‘realized’ strengths. It has been one of my top seven strengths since I started using the assessment four years ago.
It’s true…I’m a ‘git-er-done’ kind of gal…occasionally riding shotgun with ‘git-out-of-my-way.’
Action in overdrive.
As with any strength, it’s a good thing until it isn’t. I’m proud of my strengths and how they help me to be successful, AND the key is understanding when a strength’s overuse can become a weakness.
For example, my decision-making muscle is strong. I like this about myself…
I rarely regret a decision, even if I’m wrong. As with any mistake, I try to learn the lesson.
As I reflect on the string of lessons learned, one common theme rises to the top: I went it alone.
Counting on my own decision-making abilities is easy.
Make the decision → act. ☑️
If only I had included ANYONE who might be impacted by my decision…in the decision.
That’s the key: IMPACT. Who else should I have given a voice?
So, what does this have to do with leadership?
As leaders, we don’t have all the answers. Or all the information. Or a contrary perspective that might shift our thinking.
We are under the false assumption that we were put in charge TO have all the answers.
This is BS… (BS = belief system)
I spent many years believing this, and experienced a LOT of self-judgement when I didn’t have the answer.
As I continued to learn the lessons of ‘going it alone,’ I learned that the three most important words to free me from the BS are:
I don’t know.
- Wow, that’s a great question. I don’t know…what do YOU think?
- It sounds like you have an important decision to make. I don’t know what the right answer is…what is your gut telling you?
- We have some big goals to achieve this year. I have some thoughts, but I don’t know all the answers, so I’d love to hear what you think.
To admit you don’t know something/everything/anything is really empowering…for you, and for others.
Here are a few tips to let go of having ‘all the answers,’ and create more collaboration and engagement with your team:
Slow down. For me, anxiety fuels my speed to action. Knowing this is half the battle; my body provides clear signals that I’m learning to listen to.
I live in Southern California, and while I don’t live near impacted areas, the fires and strong winds over the last week have ramped up my knee-jerk ‘take action’ response. I have to remember that this impacts those around me…and not always in a good way.
As leaders, unexpected change or other unanticipated events can trigger a similar reaction. Taking a few deep breaths provides space to make better decisions.
Check your bias. Trusting your team is key. If you think ‘you know better’ and use it as an excuse for excluding your team on decisions, I’ve got news for you…you don’t.
Maybe you rely on one or two team members as sounding boards. What insights are you missing out on when you exclude different perspectives?
Often, our lack of trust, particularly if you notice that you’re painting the whole team with a broad brush of ‘I don’t trust them to do it the way I would,’ is a mirror into our own lack of trust in ourselves.
Put down the magnifying glass and pick up the mirror. What do you see?
Commit. This kind of inclusive approach takes time. You may think you don’t have it to spare, but an investment in time on the front end will save it on be back end.
Leaning into my ‘maximizer’ strength, think of it as ticking off a few leadership goals at once:
- You get help making a better decision,
- You create an inclusive environment when you engage others in decision making that impacts the team, and
- Your team feels valued and heard.
It’s worth the investment.
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about making space for others to share their ideas, strengths, and perspectives. When we slow down, check our biases, and commit to bringing others into the process, we make better decisions, build trust, and create teams that are stronger and more connected.
That’s taking the RIGHT action.