Dear Founder, Why Always Needing to Be Right Is Holding You Back

You’ve reached a point in your career where you’ve likely faced countless challenges and emerged stronger.

Founders like you are often highly skilled, experienced, and expected to make critical decisions.

Yet, along with this experience comes a natural inclination to want to be right. It’s understandable - your position and expertise might make defending your viewpoints and decisions necessary.

But have you ever considered that this constant need to be right could actually limit your growth and your organisation?

When you're focused on defending your stance, you may need to realise how it impacts those around you. Your team might hesitate to offer new ideas, thinking you won’t be open to them.

You might miss out on different perspectives that could push your business forward in ways you had yet to anticipate.

Taking a step back and allowing space for other viewpoints doesn't diminish your authority; it enhances it. Being open to new ideas and perspectives doesn’t make you less right - it makes you a better leader.

Imagine a workplace where everyone feels comfortable sharing their insights without fear of dismissal. That kind of environment encourages creativity and problem-solving at a much higher level, and it all starts with you being willing to let go of that need to always be right.

The Power of Listening Over Defending

You’ve got a wealth of experience, and understandably, you want to protect your position by sticking to what you know works.

But when you shift from defending your ideas to genuinely listening, you’ll start to notice something: your team will open up more, and you’ll be exposed to fresh ideas and insights that can push your business forward.

You’ve likely worked with people who have a different approach or come from a completely different background.

These differences can be an asset, but only if you're open to hearing them. If you're always focusing on defending your decisions, you might be closing off opportunities for new thinking, new strategies, or new ways of tackling your challenges.

Listening is more than just hearing what’s being said. It’s about creating an environment where your team can confidently voice their ideas.

They’ll respect you more when they see that you're willing to listen - not just out of obligation but because you're genuinely interested in improving and finding the best solution, regardless of where it comes from.

That kind of leadership fosters trust, loyalty, and innovation. People perform their best when they know their thoughts are valued, and as a result, the organisation benefits from the collective intelligence of the team.

The Risk of Limiting Innovation and Creativity

You know how important it is to stay ahead of the curve in your industry. Innovation and creativity are key to long-term success, especially at an executive level.

But if you’re always right and never allow room for differing opinions, you’re unknowingly limiting your business's potential.

Think about the last time someone on your team suggested an idea different from yours.

Did you fully explore it or dismiss it quickly because it didn’t align with your vision?

The truth is, you don’t need to agree with every suggestion, but by being open to discussion and exploration, you foster an environment where creativity can thrive.

Creativity, by its very nature, often requires stepping into the unknown, where you can’t always predict the outcome. By being too focused on being right, you might be missing out on this kind of valuable innovation.

When your team knows you’re open to their ideas, even if unconventional, they’re more likely to experiment, innovate, and develop breakthrough solutions.

The long-term benefits of nurturing creativity far outweigh any short-term satisfaction of being right. As you know, the companies that innovate often lead, and those that don’t are left behind.

Building a Stronger, More Trustworthy Team

You’ve worked hard to get where you are; a large part of that comes down to how you manage and lead your team.

But here’s something to consider: constantly needing to be right may be impacting the trust your team has in you.

If your team feels that you’re not open to feedback or differing opinions, they may hold back from offering new ideas or perspectives. Over time, this can lead to disengagement and a lack of innovation.

When you show that you’re willing to admit when you don’t have all the answers, your team will see you as more approachable and, paradoxically, a stronger leader.

Admitting that you don’t always need to be right demonstrates humility and strength - qualities that encourage loyalty and trust.

Imagine the impact of a team that trusts you enough to be fully open. They’re more likely to go the extra mile, develop new ideas, and take ownership of their work because they know their contributions are valued.

When trust is built on mutual respect, you create a positive working environment where everyone feels invested in the company’s success. That kind of environment leads to better performance and, ultimately, better business results.

Fostering a Collaborative Culture for Long-Term Success

You’ve likely heard it said that no one can do it alone, especially regarding leadership. The best leaders can bring out their teams' strengths and create a collaborative culture.

But to do that, you must always let go of the need to be right and embrace the idea that great ideas can come from anywhere.

When you foster a culture of collaboration, you’re setting up your team for long-term success. Collaboration encourages open communication, allows for the sharing of ideas, and ensures that everyone works towards the same goals.

It’s about creating a space where everyone feels comfortable contributing, knowing that their ideas will be considered and respected, even if they differ from your own.

Encouraging collaboration also ensures your business is more adaptable and resilient. You can’t foresee every challenge or opportunity.

Still, by building a team that’s used to working together and exploring different solutions, you’ll be better equipped to handle whatever comes your way. Collaboration leads to a more agile, flexible organisation that can innovate and respond quickly to changes in the market.

Leading with Confidence, Not Defensiveness

At the end of the day, being right isn’t what makes you a great leader. It’s your ability to bring out the best in those around you, to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute, and to lead with confidence rather than defensiveness.

The most successful leaders know that their strength doesn’t come from always having the right answer but from being open to finding the best answer - no matter where it comes from.

As you move forward in your leadership role, consider the benefits of letting go of the need to be right.

Fostering openness, creativity, and collaboration will strengthen your team and your business.

That legacy lasts far beyond any single decision or debate.

Your leadership is more than just the sum of your decisions - it’s the environment you create and the people you inspire. Lead with openness, listen with intent, and you’ll find the right answers more easily than ever.