One of the worst things a leader can say to someone is “I pay you to know.”
Two consequences stand out:
- You’ve told the people around you that curiosity is a waste of time
- There are penalties for being wrong
No one wants to make a mistake.
When you are doing things that create impact, trying for perfection creates chaos.
One of the wisest things I’ve ever heard is the phrase “to make an omelet you have to break a few eggs.”
Creating is a messy business. Eggs in the shell don’t look like an omelet. They have none of the value that omelet provides to a hungry person.
To get that wonderful breakfast, you have to get messy, involve a bunch of moving parts, and look a little silly (especially if you want it to look good :]).
When you say “I pay you to be right” you’re asking them to work with the egg in the shell and not explore. It’s a major handicap to look good and stay clean.
Don’t handicap your team in the name of your ego.
From the desk of Adam Thomas 