The Hardest Leadership Lesson: You’re Not the Expert Anymore

Why Great Leaders Let Go of Being the Best at Everything

When I first became a leader, I prided myself on knowing more than everyone else. I had the most experience, the sharpest skills, and the ability to step in and fix anything. But over time, I noticed something: my team wasn’t growing, and neither was I.

Why? Because I was still acting like the expert when my real job was to be the leader.

As leaders, we’re not supposed to have all the answers—we’re supposed to create an environment where our teams can find them. Holding on to expertise might make you feel valuable, but letting go of it makes you indispensable.

Why Holding On to Expertise Hurts Your Leadership

🚫 It limits your team. If you’re always the smartest person in the room, your team never gets the chance to develop their own expertise.

🚫 It keeps you stuck in the weeds. Leaders who focus on doing the work themselves miss the bigger picture—strategy, vision, and long-term success.

🚫 It slows down progress. When every decision depends on you, innovation stalls, and your team hesitates instead of acting.

The Shift: From Expert to Leader

✔ Hire People Who Know More Than You – Surround yourself with experts and give them the freedom to own their work.

✔ Ask Questions Instead of Giving Answers – Encourage your team to think critically instead of always looking to you for solutions.

✔ Focus on the Future, Not the Details – A leader’s role isn’t to execute—it’s to set the vision, clear roadblocks, and empower others.

Try This Today: The “Reverse Advice” Test

The next time someone comes to you for an answer, flip it back: What do you think? or How would you approach this? You’ll start building a team that doesn’t just wait for direction—but takes the lead.

Lead Forward, Not Backward

Your greatest value as a leader isn’t in knowing everything—it’s in creating a team that thrives without constant guidance. If you’re ready to step into real leadership, Lead Forward! will show you how.