Having smart and talented people on a team is a blessing for any leader.
The way I define geniuses here are self-motivated individuals who dive into complex problems and are always eager to know the unknown. They spend a lot of time building foundational knowledge and wisdom to provide guidance and create solutions. Their holistic approach to understanding a product, opportunity or problem is what makes them the ‘smartest’ ones on the team.
As a leader of these individuals, it’s important to recognize that relying on a single leadership approach for the entire team may not be effective. They require an intentional and thoughtful leadership style.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of adopting a laissez-faire attitude in these situations —after all, you trust them with their intelligence, skills and sincerity to deliver outcomes. It worked for me until it failed.
In my experience, simply leaving highly intelligent individuals to work on their own with minimal guidance isn’t always effective. The biggest challenge is that you’re not just giving them the exciting opportunity to explore ideas—you’re also unintentionally leaving them to navigate the process, manage people, and deal with the bureaucracy of the system, which can drain their creative energy.
Another challenge is that many of these individuals are go-getters who thrive on achievement. In their drive to accomplish more, they often don’t realize they’re burning themselves out or investing time in something that may not lead to the outcome they truly desire. As a leader, it’s crucial to provide the right balance of support and direction to help them stay focused and sustainable in their efforts.
Here are my top five learnings from leading incredibly smart individuals on my team:
Don’t be a barrier to creative exploration—be the bridge when they reach a dead end.
Give them the freedom to explore, but step in when you realize they may need guidance or support to move forward.Be a constant companion in helping them stay aligned.
Remind them of their own preferences, priorities, and the importance of balance so they don’t get lost in their ambition.Diversify their opportunities to keep their curiosity alive.
Smart people thrive on learning—expose them to new challenges, domains, and perspectives to keep them engaged.Practice collaborative leadership.
Lead alongside them, not above them. Encourage open discussions, shared decision-making, and mutual respect.Most importantly, recognize their intelligence and actively learn from them.
Leadership isn’t just about guiding, it’s also about being humble enough to learn from those you lead.
I am incredibly grateful to lead such a talented and driven team. Every day, they challenge me to grow as a leader, constantly pushing me to sharpen my skills and elevate our collective success. It’s a true privilege to work alongside such brilliant individuals who make me excited for each new day at work. Onward and upward!