I admit to having a bit of an obsession with a particular word game on my phone. I’ve convinced myself that playing it will delay the effects of old age on my brain some day!
One of the features in this game is the ability to get a “clue” if you get really stuck on solving a particular word. You have to collect tokens while playing the game to give you the ability to get your “clue”. Sometimes just a single letter helps you on your way. I don’t really like using this feature, but sometimes it provides the little help needed.
The other day I was struck by the relativity of this game feature to leaders. Not just the fact that leaders sometimes need a clue (help), but that the willingness to get help from people is earned, like earning the tokens in the game. It also made me think about my apprehension to use the clue in the game and maybe in my leadership.
When we’re not sure of something as leaders, sometimes we don’t need full-blown help, but just a single little clue. A bit of knowledge or experience that helps nudge us along our way to being successful. Just like in the game, getting a clue is not an admission of defeat, it is simply our admission that we all need help at times. A reminder that leaders are not infallible!
So, why should we as leaders consider asking for a “clue”?
– When an unknown topic is raised at work (getting a clue can help you do research)
– Keeps us humble as leaders (we all need help sometime)
– Shows our vulnerability to our team (it’s not bad to need a clue sometimes)
The bottom line; ask your people for a clue! It could be beneficial to both sides.