Early in my career, I was always trying to prove my worth. In meetings, I’d jump in first, eager to show I understood the problem, could keep up with the conversation, and had a great idea of my own, not just agree with someone else.
A turning point came when a junior PM approached me after a working session. He had a brilliant idea, the exact solution we needed, but hadn’t shared it during the discussion. When I asked him why, he said he didn’t want to contradict the CEO, who had immediately proposed a solution when the problem was first brought up.
That moment was a wake-up call. I began observing other leaders and realized a critical truth: The first person to speak often steers the meeting. So when that person is in a leadership role, their idea can overshadow others, stifling diverse perspectives and creative solutions.
This simple observation has shaped all my working sessions since. I’ve learned to keep a poker face; not reveal my hand too soon. As I started to take more senior roles, I adapted my approach to set the stage for conversation and ideation. I want to gather all of the information from the room before I explicitly convey my own ideas or thoughts on a topic.
If you’re astute, you’ll quickly get a feel for my thoughts by the questions I ask. I’ll question everything, even an idea I agree with, with the objective of collectively getting it right, rather than simply being right. I’ll usually wait until the end to give my full viewpoint, building on the collective wisdom of the team.
Key Takeaways for New Leaders
- Your Influence is Greater Than You Think: As a leader, your words carry weight. What you say, and when you say it, can shut down a conversation and prevent great ideas from surfacing.
- Don’t Jump to Solutions: Your job isn’t to be the smartest person in the room; it’s to get the best out of your team. Resist the urge to solve the problem immediately and instead, focus on gathering all the information first.
- Master the Art of the Question: Use questions to guide the conversation. Ask open-ended questions like, “What are some of the other angles we should consider?” or “What are the potential risks with this approach?” This fosters a culture of inquiry over certainty.
- Prioritize “Getting It Right” Over “Being Right”: Shift your mindset from a personal victory to a team victory. Your goal should be to find the best possible solution, regardless of whose idea it was. This builds trust and empowers your team to share their ideas without fear of contradiction.