Smart Leaders Show Up Stupid

Show up “smart” to prove your value. Show up “stupid” to lift the value of others.

Make conversations about others, not you.

Some leaders need to know everything.

Wise leaders need to learn everything.

Why Show Up Stupid

Showing up “smart” feels powerful. You give answers. You solve problems. You tell people what to do.

Show up “stupid” to build teams that think, act, and grow. You’re a bottleneck when heads turn toward you. You empower when people turn toward each other.

“Smart” leaders build dependence.

“Stupid” leaders build capability. Listen. Explore. Affirm.

Smart Leaders Say

• Do it this way.
• You can solve this problem by…
• You should have…
• Here’s what needs to happen.

“Smart” leaders provide answers.

“Stupid” leaders stay curious.

Stupid Leaders Ask

• What are you working on?
• What’s slowing you down?
• What options are you considering?
• What would you like from me?
• What have you learned so far?
• What’s next?

The goal isn’t looking smart. It’s strengthening others.

• Give advice reluctantly.
• Listen longer than feels comfortable.
• Say, “And what else?”
• Establish mutual accountability.

The Wisdom of Ignorance

Suppress your need to look important.

Showing up “stupid” isn’t pretending to be ignorant. It’s being teachable.

Put your answers in your back pocket. Take a breath. Let someone else be the smartest person in the room.

Seven Ways to Not-Know Like a Leader

The Power of Not Knowing | INSEAD Knowledge