Are the Best Leaders CON Artists?
The best leaders are always right, right?
Wrong.
I know you know the type… they must have the last word in the conversation, they consistently assert rather than inquire, they “just know.” They “may not always be right, but they are never wrong.”
Working with leaders who demonstrate this “need to be right” mindset and behavior is exhausting. Their behavior does little to empower, develop, enable, or bring out the best in the very people they are leading. Research has shown leaders with a “need to be right” mindset have lower levels of engagement on their teams, they stifle creativity and innovation, they prioritize “rightness” over relationships and connection, and they tend to make worse decisions.
Instead, why not embrace the leadership style of a CON artist? No, not that kind of con artist, a new kind of CON artist; someone who consistently practices Curiosity, Openness, and Non-judgment. In our book, The Coaching Shift, Dr. Shonna Waters and I explore the benefits of letting go of the need to be right, of leading with curiosity, seeking to understand, and drawing out the best in others.
In terms of behavior, that means asking questions, particularly open-ended questions that draw out more information and empower others to think through problems and discover their own answers and solutions. It also means really listening; not going through the motions of listening while thinking about what you want to say next, but really listening, with your ears and full, undivided attention. It also means catching yourself in the act of judging yourself or others, getting curious about why you are judging (how is it serving you?), and deliberately choosing a more constructive response.
It also means intentionally choosing a mindset of curiosity, openness, and non-judgement. Choosing your mindset is not unlike selecting a pair of glasses. Your mindset creates the lens through which you see, interpret, and experience the world. A mindset of fear, judgment, “need to be right,” or anger makes day-to-day experiences look and feel very different than choosing a mindset of curiosity, growth, openness, or possibility. Don’t believe me? Try it yourself. For 30 minutes today, choose to be judgmental. Set a timer, and make sure you are being as judgmental as possible of everything, and everyone – yourself included. Then, shake it off, and set another timer for 30 minutes. Adopt a mindset of curiosity and get curious about everything you see, hear, taste, smell, and feel. Notice how this impacts not only your interpretation of your experiences, but also how you feel during and afterward.
During my closing keynote at the COE Summit in April, I’ll make the case for why adopting a mindset of and practicing the behaviors of curiosity, openness, and non-judgment makes for more effective leadership, higher performing and more engaged teams, and better organizational outcomes. We’ll explore several tactical steps that you can integrate into your leadership style right away to be a new kind of CON artist yourself. Spoiler alert: being a new kind of CON artist will not only impact your interactions with others, it will also leave you feeling better, too.
Eager to learn more about leadership best practices? The COE Summit 2025 will feature leading researchers and industry experts who know that strong processes start with strong teams. Dr. Brodie Riordan will present the closing keynote on Thursday, April 10.
The Ohio State University Center for Operational Excellence Summit, now in its 12th year, is a 3-day event dedicated focused on the latest best practices in leadership and problem-solving. With 4 engaging keynotes, 20 breakout sessions, and exclusive opportunities for networking and hands-on learning, the COE Summit is a high-value opportunity to equip your team with the tools and tactics to connect, collaborate, and reach their full potential.
