Unlearn to Lead
The hardest leadership lesson I ever learned was that much of what I 'knew' about leading was wrong. I came into my first management role armed with what I thought were unshakeable truths. "Never show weakness." "Always have the answer." "Stay professional at all costs." These beliefs felt like armor. In reality, they were a cage – for me and my team. It took a spectacular failure and a brutally honest conversation with my team to realize I needed to unlearn to truly lead. Unlearning isn't about forgetting everything you know. It's about being humble enough to question your assumptions. It's about staying curious and open, especially when new ideas contradict your long-held beliefs. Start small. Pick one leadership principle you've always held dear. Question it. Ask your team for their honest thoughts. Be prepared for uncomfortable truths. For me, unlearning "leaders must always be strong" opened up new depths in my relationships with my team. Showing vulnerability when I was struggling didn't diminish their respect – it deepened our trust and connection. Unlearning is a continuous process. The moment you think you've got it all figured out is the moment you stop growing as a leader. So, what will you unlearn today? What assumption can you challenge? Your willingness to question yourself might just be the key to unlocking your team's full potential. Remember, the best leaders aren't know-it-alls. They're learn-it-alls. And sometimes, learning means unlearning first.