As leaders, we are often conditioned to seek the right answer. From childhood, we are taught that problems have definitive solutions—2+2 equals 4, history has set dates, and scientific processes follow clear formulas. But in the real world, especially in leadership, things are rarely that simple.
So, is right always the right answer? Or should we be looking for something else?
The Search for Right Answers
Our education and early professional experiences encourage us to pursue correctness. In school, we were rewarded for knowing the correct answers on tests. Later, at work, we were introduced to policies, procedures, and best practices that outlined the right ways to do things.
But have you ever encountered a situation where those policies and procedures didn’t quite fit? Where following the "right" process led to inefficiency or even failure? The reality is that in leadership, business, and life, things are not always as clear-cut as we might hope.
The Problem with Seeking Only the Right Answer
When we fixate on finding the one right answer, we often:
- Spend too much time searching for a solution that may not exist
- Miss out on alternative ideas that could be just as effective or even better
- Create a rigid mindset that limits creativity and adaptability
- Overlook the context and complexity of real-world decision-making
The truth is, leadership decisions are rarely black and white. Most of the time, we are navigating shades of gray, where multiple options could work depending on the situation.
Good, Possible, or Best Answers?
Rather than seeking the right answer, what if we focused on finding a good, possible, or best answer?
- A good answer may not be perfect, but it moves things forward and achieves the desired outcome.
- A possible answer opens up new solutions that we might not have considered.
- The best answer isn’t necessarily right—it’s simply the most effective choice given the current circumstances.
By shifting our mindset from right vs. wrong to best available choice, we become more flexible, adaptive, and effective leaders.
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