Does Asking for Help Make Me Seem Weak? And Other Leadership Misconceptions to Avoid – Leadership Insights from Liddell Consulting

“When you are too embarrassed to ask for help, that’s a little knock at your door saying ‘You’re insecure!’.” — Jocko Willink

Vulnerability in leadership is a big topic right now. It seems touchy-feely and feels uncomfortable for many top leaders. In fact, we imagine some leaders will have stopped reading by now. It’s a valid feeling – opening yourself up by asking for help or feedback can seem counterintuitive. Leaders are strong and always have the right answers and always know what’s best. Right?

Yes, your employees count on you for strength in times of difficulty and certainty when things are uncertain. Being uncomfortable about opening up is a valid feeling because it takes courage. Strong leaders live in a place of vulnerability and strength, learning and teaching, and ultimately trust. Leaders are human beings, and none of us know everything about everything all the time. Great leaders are aware of their weaknesses and challenges and know to leverage their trusted and trusting team to maximize everyone’s performance.

There are plenty of misconceptions about leadership that have been perpetuated in business. Leaders are not robots and don’t have literal superpowers. But great leaders evolve and grow and listen.

Learn About Executive Coaching

Learn About Executive Coaching

Ask for Help Although asking for input is hard, it doesn’t make a leader seem weak. Covering up and making excuses for deficiencies only highlights those deficiencies – that’s what makes a leader seem weak. Leadership is about learning. Never stop learning if you want to achieve success sustainably.

Trust Others You don’t create trust – you build it and earn it. And as a leader, what you exemplify is what is given back to you by your employees. That means be trustworthy yourself. See others as allies and engage in dialogue. Be consistent, and you will build trust.

Extroverted & Introverted Regardless of leadership style and personality tendencies, all good leadership at times takes introspection and active listening, as well as dynamic resolve. Just because you can benefit from other opinions, perspectives, and influence, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t trust your instincts.

Make Mistakes We’ll say it again… If you don’t make mistakes, you aren’t trying hard enough. Leadership isn’t about being flawless- it’s about understanding how to leverage your missteps as well as your wins. Miscalculations and sloppy work are two entirely different things. Don’t dwell on mistakes while you broaden your reach.

Create Win-Wins Certainly delegate tasks that aren’t your strengths, but also find opportunities to delegate what you know will create success for someone else. Creating win-win scenarios can greatly benefit not only your company culture in addition to your productivity.

Speak with a Consultant