How to Share Insight, Not Just Information, With Your Team

Being an effective leader means that we not only provide our teams with information but also share insight. Insight can help us gain a deeper understanding of the problems we are trying to solve, enabling us to come up with more creative solutions. But how do you provide insight to your team, and not just information?

First and foremost, it’s important that you create an environment of openness and encouragement. This means inviting everyone to give their thoughts or ideas on the problem at hand — as well as listening attentively to what they have to say — which will foster an atmosphere of trust and collaboration among team members.

Secondly, it is essential that you bring your own unique experiences into the dialogue when discussing topics related to work. Showing the team that, even after years of experience in a certain field, there’s still room for learning and growth, invites them to reflect and think strategically about the matter at hand. Don’t be afraid to challenge assumptions by asking “why?” and “how?” as this can open up new perspectives that wouldn’t have been explored before.

Finally, don’t discount the power of storytelling — allow yourself (and others) time to tell stories about their successes and failures; how they overcame adversity or lessons learned in difficult situations — all these anecdotes can prove invaluable when imparting valuable insight into a topic. Always strive towards finding ways in which your stories can be incorporated into the conversation. Sharing insights as opposed to information alone allows us to make well-rounded decisions while also giving our teams ownership over projects and tasks assigned — creating an environment where employees feel appreciated for their contributions and respected for their opinions.