The Power of Humility and Asking for Help

In each episode of the Executive Evolution podcast, I ask my guests to share the advice they’d give their younger selves when they were first stepping into leadership. These insights can be transformative, and I’ve pulled together some of the best into a free resource called "10 Tips to Level Up Your Leadership." You can grab your copy here if you’re a new leader looking to make real progress.

This week, I had the unique privilege of interviewing my son, Navy Lieutenant Daniel Anderson, on the Executive Evolution podcast. Aside from apparent parental pride, he brings unique leadership insights as the armed forces trust young leaders with significant responsibilities. They are prepared for it and have to learn fast, with humility.

Here are some key takeaways from the interview. As always, you can hear much more from Danny on the podcast on all your favorite platforms or by clicking the link in the first comments.

?The Power of Humility and Seeking Help

One of the strongest leadership insights Danny shared is the importance of humility. In the military, young leaders are entrusted with substantial responsibilities?and?rely heavily on experienced team members. Danny highlighted this, saying, “A lot of the learning process there is learning from the senior non-commissioned people you're heavily relying on. They've been in the Navy 10, 12 up to 20 years, and learning from them, being humble enough to realize, like, hey, this person is a lot better at this than I am, and I need to sit here, and I need to learn from them as much as I can.”

For new leaders, it’s easy to feel pressured to have all the answers. Danny’s approach reminds us that seeking guidance isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength. Humility opens the door to learning, allowing leaders to leverage the expertise of those around them and build trust within their teams.

Building Confidence by Embracing Responsibility

Leadership isn’t just about managing tasks; it’s about taking ownership. Danny shared how stepping up to take responsibility, even when things went wrong, was instrumental in building his confidence as a leader. “If something got messed up, being like, hey, it's my bad, it's on me, and taking the heat for them… giving that prioritization to them so they can work effectively on their own is another huge part.”

This approach of owning mistakes and protecting his team built a foundation of trust and respect. For leaders, especially those new to their roles, embracing responsibility and holding yourself accountable is key to developing self-assurance and earning the trust of others.

Balancing Delegation and Oversight

Danny’s experience also taught him the importance of balancing delegation and appropriate oversight. Initially, he found it challenging to step back and let his team manage specific tasks independently. “On my second ship... the hardest part... was learning how to delegate... I don’t have to do everything. I have these people that are plenty competent to do these things.”

This insight resonates with many new leaders who may struggle with letting go of control. Danny’s lesson is a powerful reminder that effective delegation doesn’t mean stepping away entirely; it’s about finding the right balance, giving guidance, and trusting your team to perform.

These insights from Navy Lieutenant Daniel Anderson offer valuable guidance on humility, responsibility, and delegation. I could not be more proud of him and his leadership growth. Embrace these principles to build trust, grow confidence, and lead with balance in your own leadership journey. For more actionable advice, don’t forget to download "10 Tips to Level Up Your Leadership" and continue your Executive Evolution.