To lead implies that there are people to coordinate, a task to be executed and a responsibility to be accounted for. An exemplary trait of a leader lies in their adeptness at executing transformative strategies, propelling their team towards improved productivity and sustained excellence. This feat is not attained by mere desires, rather it is attained by the collective effort of each member of the team. To achieve excellence, you must engage the best hands in the execution of your vision.
Obtaining the best hands means bringing on board people who are smarter than you, especially in their areas of expertise. This is necessary to sustain the excellence exuded in the execution of your vision.
Obtaining the best hands means bringing on board people who are smarter than you
In most cases, you find yourself leading exceptionally talented individuals by virtue of your position, tasked with overseeing and coordinating workflows and ensuring the quality of deliverables. What happens if these experts surpass you in intelligence, age, influence, experience, or accolades? This can breed resentment and power struggles. Oftentimes, these dynamics tarnish relationships and jeopardize the team’s objectives, resulting in either haphazard or unfulfilled goals, accompanied by internal conflicts.
To avoid a situation as this, here are sustainable means to lead a team that is smarter than you without a challenge on your leadership:
Lead Softly: Refrain from exerting excessive authority over your team or constantly asserting your position as the boss. While you hold the leadership role, avoid imposing it aggressively. 
You are not in competition with your team; although it might appear that team members seek to demonstrate their expertise, even in areas where your knowledge may be limited, maintain professionalism and composure. Instead of allowing disagreements to escalate into prolonged animosity, handle conflicts with tact and address them promptly. Exhibiting humility and respect for the expertise of your team members makes you cultivate a culture of mutual respect and cooperation, which enhances productivity and morale.
Acknowledge Their Strength: Do not be afraid to appreciate the individual strength of your team members. Appreciate their awards, appreciate their skills. It will make them feel appreciated. Nothing wins your team like them understanding their value and expertise in your eyes. Make them see that you appreciate them because you need them in the actualisation of the team’s goal. Do not underestimate their efforts, especially when targets are not met but progress is noticeable.
Maintain Composure: As a leader, necessity demands that you project confidence and clarity. Even if you are uncertain about the next steps or lack a concrete plan, avoid displaying hesitation or doubt in front of your team. People look up to leaders who exhibit vision, strategy, and a sense of direction. Even if you are unsure of your next steps, do not lose your confidence in narrating your vision.
Ask For Their Opinion: Cultivate an environment of respect by valuing the input of your team members. Ask for their feedback and genuinely consider their opinions. Demonstrating this aspect of leadership gives room for a sense of being heard and valued among your team., this breeds inclusivity. To garner their investment in your vision, it is essential to listen to their ideas and opinions, granting them a sense of ownership. As a result, criticism diminishes; team members are less inclined to critique a project in which they have had a hand.
Effective Delegation: Entrust your team with responsibilities that match their expertise, this breeds effective delegation. You not only lighten your workload but also encourage a sense of ownership and accountability among your team members. Delegation tells your team members that you trust their ability to function optimally. It signifies confidence in their capabilities and allows them to maximize their creative capacity and cultivates a culture of innovation and initiative within the team. However, remember to provide support and guidance when needed.
Lead With Empathy: Leading with empathy entails comprehending the distinctive challenges and viewpoints of your team members and demonstrating empathy in your interactions. It involves actively listening to their concerns, understanding their emotions, and offering support and encouragement. By acknowledging their individual experiences and struggles, you create a more inclusive and supportive work environment. Empathetic leadership fosters trust, enhances communication, and strengthens team morale. Your team members feel valued and understood. Empathetic leadership is necessary to improve your relationship with your team, as they are first humans before the task to be executed.
Having considered this, it is imperative that the foundation of leading a team smarter than you is in the acceptance of the statement by Steve Jobs, “It does not make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do, we hire smart people so that they can tell us what to do.”
