Be Teachable: Why Leadership Isn't About Having All the Answers

I saw this picture on a social media post recently that caught my eye. In big, bold letters it reads:

"Be teachable: You don't know everything and you're not always right." Simple, but powerful—and deeply relevant for the leaders I work with every day.

As an executive and leadership coach, I frequently witness something that keeps incredibly capable leaders stuck: the pressure to always have the answers. This mindset—though often rooted in good intentions—can unintentionally hinder momentum, silence creativity, and erode trust.

The Freeze That Follows "I Should Know This"

Leaders often feel that unless they show up with a fully baked vision, plan, or answer, they’ll be seen as incompetent or unqualified. That fear leads to hesitation:

• They don’t initiate the hard conversations.

• They avoid casting vision because it’s not "ready yet."

• They withhold authority from others, believing they must first perfect the path.

And in doing so, they inadvertently stall progress—not just their own, but their team’s as well.

What If You Didn't Have to Know It All?

What would it look like to show up with curiosity instead of certainty? To throw out a half-formed idea and invite your team into the process?

What if you said:

• “Here’s a rough sketch—what do you see?”

• “I’m still shaping this—can you add to it?”

• “I’m not sure yet, but I believe we can figure it out together.”

These are not signs of weakness. They are signals of trust.

Influence is Grown Through Invitation

When leaders model teachability, they create space for others to:

• Feel ownership of the vision or project

• Contribute more deeply and creatively

• Trust that their voice matters

  
  

The result? Stronger alignment. Increased buy-in. Forward momentum.

It’s a myth that leaders must be the smartest person in the room. The most effective leaders are those who know how to create the room—the kind of environment where others feel safe to think, speak, contribute, and lead.

Real Leadership is a Shared Journey

Being teachable isn’t just a personal value—it’s a leadership strategy. And it’s often the key that unlocks potential, purpose, and performance.

So the next time you feel stuck trying to "get it right" before speaking up or taking a step forward, pause and ask: What if I didn’t need to have all the answers?

Your next move might be less about having it all figured out—and more about trusting others to help build the future alongside you.

Looking for a space to develop your leadership voice, strengthen your influence, and move from potential to purpose? Let's talk.