I know they're always saying leaders should hire people smarter than them, but doesn't that undermine their authority in the eyes of the team? Have you ever felt imposter syndrome because your team members were more skilled than you in certain areas?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

A leader shouldn’t be expected to know everything. I have a technical background but moved into business leadership roles almost a decade ago. I still have a solid technical foundation, but there’s no way I can be a business leader and know everything technically inside out. So I need the SMEs in my team to be smarter than me, to have more knowledge than me, and it’s my role as a leader to give them the space to shine - to grow and develop and be able to use their knowledge to its fullest potential. If they succeed, then I succeed.

likehelpful

Leaders aren’t meant to be all knowing all doing all skilled beings, that’s impossible. Which is the purpose behind the premise of being comfortable hiring people “smarter than you.” Which doesn’t mean hire someone that could do your job better than you, it means hire the best person for the job you’re hiring for and that means they SHOULD be able to do that job better than you, bc they’re the expert in that role. & don’t let someone’s expert ability to do their job intimidate you or make u feel imposter syndrome in your role based on your lack of proficiency in THEIR role. I’m meant to be the expert in my role, which is a totally different role from my teams and therefore doesn’t mean I could do everybody else’s job, I’m not meant to and nor am I expected to. You don’t expect the ceo of a hospital, whose job is to run the business aspect of the hospital, to be able to care for a patient in the ER. You need to be able to differentiate roles in the matrix of the business. If your teams are reflecting some of those less than ideal attitudes “my boss couldn’t even do my job,” then that’s a problem with their perspective and understanding of role differentiation and expectations, which I would consider addressing. But don’t let that affect you bc there will always be those types of attitudes here and there, it only reflects on their lack not yours.

like

I wouldn't see hiring a smart person to be undermining. If anything, it should show a commitment to getting the best work done. But, having said that, I think many managers in actuality don't want smart people around. They're insecure and afraid of being outclassed. Or of losing their own job to the smart person.

like

Intelligence <> leadership

like

A successful leader is one who surrounds himself with successful employees. For example, Bear Bryant didn't take the field to play quarterback, runningback, linebacker, etc. He is regarded as one of the best coaches in college football because he was able to inspire good athletes to become great athletes. No need to feel like an imposter just because you have a wunderkind on staff that makes the numbers sing. Your job is to encourage the employees to be better than they think they can be. Now, if one of these smarty pants makes the mistake of pointing out that they are better at their job than you could ever be, you can show them how good you are at firing employees who are disrespectful of authority.

like

Or herself…

If you are better than your team, you may be failing as a manager

“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room”

Related Posts

The mid-level associate who directly supervises me isn’t being responsive. I am worried about missing a deadline. Should I keep pinging him? Figure it out on my own? Reach out to someone above him?

like

Scenario, interviewing a candidate that has great experience for the role however candidate has a lot of tattoos. Nothing crazy or derogatory, would you pass on him/her? Not a customer service job either. Specially manufacturing…. Have you ever passed on a candidate because of tattoos?

I have a Deputy CISO who constantly instructs us to not go to HR with top level compliance issues (because JP Morgan Chase frowned upon it). But these issues are pervasive to tone at the top and could cause non compliance. What should I do?

like

I am so sick and fed up with some of the older clients at my job. I know it's my responsibility to take care of them, but they're just so sexist sometimes.

like

Name the most ridiculous micro-managing by partners that you experience.

I’ll go first: MP told me that on initial emails, I am always to start with “Hello [name],” but after the initial email, I am not to address her by name again in the same thread. Initial greeting can only be “Hello [name] ” because just first name is too brisk and a “Hi [name]” is too informal. Had a 5 minute, in depth conversation as to why she prefers it this way…

likefunny

Hello. What's is type of shoes do you wear to work
Flats, heels or sneakers?

like

There are too many men out there who think that just because I'm being polite, it's a sign that they should flirt with me while I'm at work. I thought this was 2022, why haven't we as a society gotten past this yet?

like

This is twice now in back to back weeks my boss has asked me where the disconnect was in our communications because I didn’t deliver on what “was asked”, even though I know damn well what was asked and what was done were the same thing. I’m not sure if he’s changing the meaning or isn’t communicating what he’s envisioning or what but it’s embarrassing to be called out like that, and to have people think you’re the dumb 23 year old.

likefunny

If you spend the day writing stuff on linked in, how do you get shit done at work?

likefunny

I have a direct report who is smart, passionate about her job and can be really innovative. However she carries this enormous weight of responsibility, for needing to do everything, do it right, make sure it's perfect, not trusting colleagues to help. It creates dread and panic and overwhelming workload and a terrible attitude for her and I am speaking with her this week to start to shift her mindset. Any tips in navigating how to let go of this heavy idea of "responsibility"?

likehelpful

What do you do when you feel stuck and unappreciated in your company? You love the work but it goes unrecognised no matter how much value you provide and not rewarded fairly.
How do you guys deal with this situation?

like

Hi friends,

I'm a new joinee in MSFT.

People in my team they don't come with me for breaks. (They blame the timings are different since they sit in crits but i don't think so because they have their own group of friends to go with)

Secondly, when my team members see me in cafeteria we expect they'll sit with us but people here are being rude they directly go and sit with their friends they don't call you to join. ( atleast they could have said they are accompanied)

People behave unpleasant

like

Anyone else have a formatting pet peeve and get annoyed when people don’t have a blank first column and row in tabs? I.e headers/data in cell A1

My first manager told me this, and I’ve followed it to a T since.

likesmart

Happy Halloween, my fellow Tech Pros! I love this Holiday, anyone come up with a creative costume to wear at work?

Is it a good Idea to inform my boss that I'm looking for other opportunities

like

Is anyone willing to share tips on avoiding burnout and setting boundaries with their executives? I have six people on my desk and am finding it difficult to stay motivated and continue giving everyone the same level of support.

like

If an employee files a complaint about workplace behavior, do you treat them differently? I'm faced with reporting an SM for bullying and finding it near imposible to believe that it won't (cont'd)

Does being professional come off as fake sometimes and people see through it?

like

How do you set boundaries at work?

like

Could I pull off asking my manager from J1 for approval of freelancing on the side? It’s quite common anyway for designers I think. And then my j2 can be “freelance” even though it’s full time?

like

More Posts

How do I set the formula to calculate “If x falls between 1-10, return 1-10, if it falls between 11-20, return 11-20, and so on”

like

What is exact in hand salary in Capgemini for 25L fixed, also in case of 10% and 15% variable pay

like

And now.. let me take a selfie!

Post Photo
funnylike

Any recommendations for supply chain consulting in London? Really underwhelmed with the offering at my current company, and I keep getting roped into projects outside of SC where I have zero interest or experience. Joined from industry 1.5 years ago.

like

Hi Everyone ,
I have passed the technical interview in Capgemini and HR has called for Salry negotiation , after that HR said that offer letter is in process.
Now HR called and was asking aren't you interested in the offer , HR said that client tried to contact you but you werent responding.
But I didnt receive any call from anyone ..
What is this client call ?
Is the process normal ?
Like I have heard the client calls would be after joining the organization .
Please enlighten me.
Thank you.

like

I heard somewhere that L4 roles aren’t being interviewed by a bar raiser anymore. Can anyone confirm?

like
like

I have client round on friday.. So anyone please help what kind of questions they can ask in client round..? Automation testing using selenium and 6 yoe

like

I have 3 YOE current CTC 6.75 LPA. I got selected in TCS for Java-AWS Developer. Is 8.5 LPA valid package? Thanks!

like

I am due to join pwc IAC very soon. But while verifying my background, they tried calling my ex employer who didn't answer their calls or mails. It was a small firm with no specific HR department.
I forgot to take my relieving letter from him.
They have given me a partial go ahead to join contingent on the fact that i get the document from him.
I tried contacting him over calls and whatsapp but he didn't answer it as i didn't leave on good terms with him.
What is the way out? Please help

likefunny

Talking to a recruiter soon from D about target comp. I’m a SC at one of their competitors with 4 YOE in Strategy Consulting. Is it realistic for me to ask for $140k?

like

For anyone who has joined Verizon India in Oct'22 would be eligible for Appraisal?

like

No question, but I wanted to give a huge shoutout to repvue.com that helped me increase my salary by 80% this year. If you know anyone who works in Sales, tell them about it!

Post Photo
likesmart

Is anyone going Mindspace, Hyderabad office? Need help in collecting the ID badge.

like

Any other 60 yr old unemployed life long techies out there? I have to admit, being unemployed at 60 is a bit expressing. I've started a couple business that went no where. And freelance isn't as easy as I thought it would be. I welcome your comments

like

What is the standard billing for a surgical PA? 20% of what the MD is billing? Does anyone know?

like

What are some tips or recommendations on where to start to become a product manager? Much appreciated

like

Can anyone please suggest which would be best to join:

Cognizant 6.5lpa (6.3 fixed) (0.2 variable)
Or
Sapient 8.5lpa

Sapient mentioned that if I give confirmation of joining they will increase to 9.5lpa before joining in offer.

Current CTC 3.55 LPA

I have 2.2 years experience with 1 year of Automation testing with selenium java and Cucumber.

like

Additional Posts in Leadership

Hi everyone!

After years of hard work, I just got my first position in a leadership role! Yay! I’ll be leading a team of 12.
I wanted to know if you had any tips for me, things you wish you knew before, or things previous leaders did for/to you that you found admirable or stayed with you. I want to make sure I’m there for them and want to be a leader they will remember positively.

Thank you so much!!

like

If you wold like some assistance with classroom management or even managing your owe children, check this out this resource.

likehelpful
like

Our annual reviews are approaching & one of my direct reports has been with us for almost six years w/ little growth. My reco was to let him go & find a stronger, hungrier & more motivated designer at the same level. However, my boss instead wants us to promote him in hopes that will spark some motivation. I am not behind this decision & have voiced my multitude of concerns in promoting an employee who doesn't deserve it. HR is behind the decision! Thoughts on promoting an undeserving report?

I had a great review and a 5.5% raise and a great bonus at my company. But I also got a new Director and a peer manager of mine left the company, so I will be absorbing her team. In addition, my director said I will be receiving 'deep delegation' from them. I don't mind more work, but deep delegation is a new term I've never heard. What does that mean lol?

like

Is an MBA really worth it?

What does an online MBA look like in terms of class time, work load, realistic time to complete etc?

like

What is your job title? As it right now I’m managing a team of product owners and I’m unofficially being called “Chief Product Owner.” I’m in the process of working with a coach to get my resume updated so I can begin applying for external roles. But I don’t even know what job titles to target.

like

Any advice for a first time manager ?
Context: after ~10y in technical then marketing role, taking over a team of analysts, first management position.
Tips, readings, stories, … are welcome 😁

like

I have been in management for the past 8 years and part of large corporations. I just recently joined a small organization that I have wanted to be a part of for the past 2 years, accepted the role of general manager. This organization knew that I don’t have general manager experience, no payroll experience, no experience setting prices, no purchasing experience and today, 6 days after starting, I have been asked to step down due to not being confident that I will be ready in 3 weeks…

like

Is there a corporate way to bring up to senior leaders that an IC is causing issues across multiple teams because they are demanding and also doesn’t collaborate well? The IC gives vague “direction” then says they are too busy to clarify. They also refuse to use our project management/ collaboration tools.

like

My remit quadrupled+ in a recent re-org with no increase in pay/promotion, my new director is new to the company and was zero help, and I was passed over for recent promotion during the comp cycle. The new director essentially began shutting me down any time I ask for clarity in my career progression. Now they have taken credit for the project I’ve been building over the past year+ without giving me props whatsoever to higher ups. What is the best plan of action here?

like

"Everybody can be a leader" some say... "Leaders are nurtured not born" say others... True.

But... this is also true: "not everybody wants to be a leader" (whether they can or can't be). It is a fairly common practice in organizations with traditional career management structures for people to "be promoted" into leadership roles as the "end steps of the corporate ladder" that was climbed doing technical work. And, unfortunately, this doesn't work all the time

Post Photo
like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal