Do senior leaders need to have all the answers?
At senior levels, your job isn't to have every answer, it's to get the answer. "I don't know yet, but here's how we'll find out" builds trust.
What I say in the video
There's a moment in every leader's career where perfection stops being an advantage and starts becoming a trap.
You take on more responsibility, oversee more functions, and suddenly the fear creeps in. "What if someone asks me something I can't answer?"
But at senior levels, your job isn't to have every answer, it's to get the answer. That's why saying, "I don't know yet, but here's how we'll find out," is such a powerful leadership move.
It shows clarity, transparency, and how you think. And that builds more trust than pretending ever will.
What I didn’t say in the video
The shift catches people because it goes against what made them successful. Early in your career, having the answer is how you stand out. As your role grows, trying to have every answer slows your team down and keeps you stuck in the details.
Saying "I don't know yet" can feel like a step backward. It's actually a sign you're leading at the right level. The second half of the sentence carries the weight. "Here's how we'll find out" shows you have a plan, and a team you trust to carry it out.
Try it today
In your next meeting, notice one question you'd normally answer yourself. Ask who on your team is closest to it instead.
Bill Smartt is a New York executive presence and public speaking coach and the founder of Smartt Talk. He works with leaders in financial services, tech, advertising and startups.
