Trust Your Experts

In a recent dinner with my wife Allegra, an architect specializing in NYC apartment renovations, and our friend Caroline Ellen, a jewelry designer who formulates her own alloys and handcrafts each piece, we discussed the interesting dynamic of trust between experts and their clients. Both, as consummate professionals in their respective fields, shared a common challenge: clients often come to them with specific solutions rather than outlining the problem and trusting the expert to find the best approach. Instead of relying on the expert’s experience and creativity to achieve the optimal result, clients may insist on designs or methods that contradict the expert’s insights. The issue isn’t one of differing tastes or opinions; these experts actively encourage collaboration and seek to understand their clients' preferences. Instead, we identified a specific client mindset as the common factor. Often, a client who is highly successful in one area assumes that this success translates to expertise in another. The art of the expert, we agreed, lies in building trust—guiding clients toward the best outcome while ensuring their satisfaction in the process. This conversation led me to reflect on three ways this issue of trusting experts also manifests in leadership.

Leaders who excel in one domain may struggle to accept that their intelligence and acumen don’t automatically translate across all areas. Just as a brilliant mathematician might not be an expert in ancient history, a leader skilled in operations may not have the same intuitive grasp of marketing strategies. Recognizing the boundaries of one’s expertise is a hallmark of effective leadership. Great leaders understand they cannot achieve their goals alone, and they intentionally surround themselves with talented individuals who possess a wide range of skills and expertise. By acknowledging and respecting the specialized knowledge of others, leaders demonstrate humility and foster an environment where diverse talents can flourish. This shift in mindset—from being the one with all the answers to being the one who asks the right questions and facilitates solutions—is key to successful leadership.

Leaders should practice bringing problems to experts without being attached to specific solutions. Recognizing that their voice carries significant weight, leaders must be mindful that sharing their opinions too early can unintentionally limit creativity. By holding their opinions in check, leaders create space for experts to explore innovative approaches and solutions. This is particularly challenging for those who are used to being the smartest person in the room. Yet, the most successful leaders understand that their role isn’t about providing all the answers—it’s about empowering their teams to discover the best path forward. When leaders step back and trust the expertise of others, they cultivate a culture of creativity, collaboration, and shared ownership. This approach not only leads to better, more innovative outcomes but also fosters the growth of team members by offering them opportunities to take on greater responsibility and showcase their unique skills.

Even when leaders possess significant knowledge in a particular area, it’s crucial they grant the person responsible for the task the autonomy to apply their expertise without undue influence. Micromanagement can stifle growth and innovation, eroding trust and undermining the very expertise the leader intended to leverage. Effective leaders, instead, focus on setting clear expectations, providing resources and support, and then stepping back to allow their experts the freedom to excel. This hands-off approach not only yields better results but also fosters a sense of empowerment and engagement among team members. When leaders trust their experts, it sends a powerful message: their contributions are valued, and they have the capability to make a meaningful impact within the organization.

In life and leadership, the ability to trust and empower experts is a critical skill. For those we lead and love, our willingness to acknowledge the limits of our own expertise and defer to the knowledge of others sets a powerful example. It shows that true strength lies not in having all the answers but in the humility to seek out and rely on the wisdom of those around us. As we navigate the complexities of leadership, let us remember that the most effective leaders are not those who know everything but those who create an environment where expertise can thrive. By trusting the experts we have carefully chosen, we open the door to innovation, growth, and shared success. In doing so, we not only achieve outstanding results but also build a culture of respect, collaboration, and continuous learning—one that endures far beyond any single achievement.

With love, gratitude, and wonder.

Scott