When You’re in a Senior Role, You Don’t Need More Knowledge—You Need Conversations

In senior leadership roles, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing that the key to solving problems lies in acquiring more knowledge.

After all, knowledge has often been the currency of success throughout your career. But at a certain level, it's not about what you know anymore—it's about insights and awareness, to look at the same situation from different perspectives. To make wise and better decisions.

And to make better decisions, you need conversations that challenge your current perspectives and open up new avenues of thought.

One of my clients, Steven, wanted to become a partner in a company. He asked me to review the business proposal they offered him, specifically to go over the numbers and ensure it was a wise decision.

As he was explaining the details of the deal, I stopped him and said, "Hold on a second. You're not just making a business decision; you're making a life decision."

"If you decide to join this company as a partner, we first need to discuss the implications on your life to ensure it aligns with your inner self. Only then should we dive into the data of the proposal."

Steven was surprised and a bit taken aback because he hadn't considered this perspective. But he agreed to first evaluate the deal from a life standpoint.

• You're currently working as an employee. If you become a partner in a small firm, will you be able to adapt your leadership style to this new role?
• Will this position require more travel to different regions, or will you primarily be based in one location? How will this impact your family?
• Do the new responsibilities align with your values? As an employee, you have safety and security; as a partner, you take on more risk but also greater rewards and responsibility. Is that what you truly want?

What Steven needed wasn’t more knowledge or information; he needed deeper conversations—conversations that went beyond the surface level and looked at the bigger picture.

The result? Steven decided to join the company because one of his core values is ambition, and he wanted more autonomy. As a partner, he would have more freedom compared to being an employee.

However, I reminded him, "If this decision hadn’t aligned with your values, you would have disconnected from your inner Monk. Your Suit success might have been visible on the outside, but internally, you might have felt unfulfilled.

It's crucial to check with your Monk first because success that isn't rooted in your true self will lead to living a stressful life, even if it looks like success on the outside.

Every major decision is not just about external gains but also about internal alignment. By checking in with his inner Monk, Steven ensured that his choice would bring him not only professional success but also personal fulfillment.

The Suited Monk Perspective: Beyond the Suit

In the Suited Monk philosophy, I talk about the balance between the Suit—your external success, identity, and goals—and the Monk—your internal fulfilment, intuition, and sense of purpose. When you're in a senior role, it’s tempting to focus solely on the Suit aspects: more strategies, more goals, more achievements.

But what often gets overlooked is the Monk—the part of you that thrives on reflection, meaningful conversations, and deeper connections.

Growth at senior levels isn’t about accumulating more external knowledge (the Suit); it’s about nurturing internal wisdom (the Monk). Conversations that stimulate new thinking are like a bridge between your Suit and Monk. They help you align your external actions with your internal purpose, leading to more authentic and impactful leadership.

Conversations Over Coaching

Coaching can be incredibly valuable, but sometimes what you need isn't another session of advice or structured guidance. What you need are open, thought-provoking conversations.

These discussions aren’t about receiving answers but about exploring questions. They’re about engaging with ideas that stretch your thinking, challenge your assumptions, and ultimately lead to breakthroughs in your leadership approach.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Leadership with Meaningful Conversations

In senior roles, the value of conversations cannot be overstated. They are the catalysts for new thinking, innovation, and a deeper connection between your external success and internal fulfilment. Instead of seeking more knowledge, seek out conversations that challenge you, stretch your thinking, and align with your true purpose.

So, the next time you feel stuck or uncertain, don’t reach for another book. Reach out for a meaningful conversation. It might just be the key to unlocking the next level of your leadership journey.

- Raf Adams

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