Good Leaders Can Say "I Was Wrong"

I’ve been watching physician leaders over the years and have seen some excellent leaders and some weak ones. I think there is one trait that separates these two camps - humility.

Humility Isn’t Being Weak

Webster’s defines humility as “freedom from pride or arrogance.” It comes from the word humble which means being free of haughtiness. Throughout history, when we examine the lives of good leaders there is a common problem which contributes to their fall. It is pride that gets many leaders into trouble. They display an attitude of superiority and contempt for people they perceived to be inferior to them.

Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself. Humility is knowing your strengths and weaknesses. It’s understanding that you don’t have all the answers and may need to rely on others to provide you that information. Humility isn’t being weak; it’s having the right mindset to lead.

Humility is a Mindset that Sets the Direction of Your Leadership

Your mindset is one of the most important things that will have a direct impact on your success as a leader. Mindset is how you think and feel about any person, place, thing, or event. There are two types of mindsets - fixed and growth. A fixed mindset says the world is fixed, talent is fixed, and knowledge is fixed -- you’re either smart or you’re not. A growth mindset holds that things can in improve. Knowledge can be gained, and skills can be developed. Which mindset you hold about yourself and others is incredibly important as you lead.

Mindsets Lead to Behaviors

Because your mindset, the way you think and feel, leads to your behaviors, it’s important to control your mindset. You can choose how you think and feel. If you hold a fixed mindset and lead, you’ll probably be focused on your needs, whether that be fame, glory, money or power. You might think you know everything and have all the answers. When we do this, we walk into situations with assumptions and expectations, and this is dangerous. One thing I’ve discovered in coaching clients is that assumptions lead to expectations and when expectations are not witnessed, it’s almost always someone else's fault - it’s never the person who holds the assumptions. It is this manner of thinking, a fixed mindset, that can hold you back from reaching your leadership potential. When something doesn’t go our way or someone’s performance doesn’t meet our expectations, we almost never ask, “Which of my assumptions are wrong?” Instead, we often say, “They must not be good at this task or that item because they didn’t meet my expectations.” However, it might be better, to begin with a question such as, “Which of my assumptions about this person or situation might be invalid?” You might discover your initial assumptions and expectations were not correct.

Want to Understand Those You Lead? Drop the Assumptions

To understand those we lead, we must approach them with a growth mindset. By realizing we might not have all the answers or know everything about them or their situation, we allow ourselves to ask questions and dive deep into the issues they are facing. As a leader, we should try to find their real problems, the issues they are facing, and help develop solutions to solve those problems. Frequently I have seen leaders (who think they know everything) try to fix an issue that is akin to slapping a band-aid on a symptom. They then wonder why those quick fixes never stick and the problem keeps happening.

Instead, I think a good leader uses their diagnostic skills to develop a differential problem list and work to solve the real issue. In my world, it might be malpractice if we send someone home with Tylenol for a fever and belly pain only to discover they have a ruptured appendix or ectopic pregnancy. With leadership, I think it is also malpractice to assume you have all the answers. I wonder how well we would do as leaders if we approached the problems of those we lead as we do with our patients?

Leadership Begins Your Mindset

Having the right mindset, one that is humble, is the starting point for being a great leader. Other skills are needed, but it is the growth mindset that will set you on the proper course. Most physicians possess the skills to be effective leaders. The analytical skills are present. The necessary compassion is there. All that is left is the proper mindset, the proper attitude, for you to become a great leader. Be aware of your thoughts and feelings, and you’ll become a more effective and powerful leader.