Challenging Assumptions to Elevate Your Leadership

Leadership is not just about setting strategies and making decisions; it is about continuous learning and adapting to a changing landscape. Assumptions, while often based on past experiences, can sometimes become obstacles that limit innovation and progress. The most effective leaders understand that questioning long-held beliefs is essential to staying ahead in an ever-evolving world.

The challenge lies in recognizing which assumptions are helping you and which ones are holding you back. Are you making decisions based on outdated perspectives? Are you fostering a culture that encourages curiosity and open dialogue?

Leadership growth requires the courage to examine these questions and the willingness to shift when necessary. By embracing this mindset, you not only refine your leadership approach but also empower your team to think critically and creatively.

Am I Valuing Short-Term Gains Over Long-Term Success?

In a fast-paced world, it’s tempting to focus on immediate wins. Quick results provide a sense of achievement, but are they truly aligned with your broader vision? Sustainable leadership requires balancing short-term objectives with long-term impact. Consider whether your current strategies are building lasting success or just quick fixes.

Coaching Tip: Create a “future filter” checklist to assess how decisions align with your 2025 vision. Prioritize initiatives that contribute to sustainable growth.

Is My Team Really Adapting to Change?

Change is constant, yet adaptation is not always automatic. Your team may be adjusting on the surface, but are they truly embracing change or just enduring it? Effective leadership involves fostering resilience and openness to new ways of thinking.

Coaching Tip: Start a weekly journal to reflect on how you’re responding to challenges and adapting to change. Encourage team members to do the same, creating a culture of learning and flexibility.

Am I Inspiring My Team to Think Bigger?

Great leaders don’t just set goals—they inspire others to reach beyond their perceived limits. Are you encouraging your team to stretch their aspirations, or are you unintentionally reinforcing safe, predictable thinking?

Coaching Tip: Host a visioning session where team members share their dreams and co-create a roadmap for achieving them. Big thinking starts with permission to explore possibilities.

Is My Team Fully Engaged?

Engagement isn’t just about productivity; it’s about purpose. When employees feel valued and empowered, their motivation skyrockets. Are you providing the support and autonomy they need to thrive?

Coaching Tip: Ask each team member, “What’s one thing I can do to support your success?” Small adjustments can lead to meaningful engagement.

Am I Leading with Empathy and Vision?

Leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about connection. Balancing empathy with a compelling vision ensures that your team feels both supported and inspired. The most effective leaders create environments where people feel heard and motivated toward a common goal.

Coaching Tip: Share your “why” with your team. When they understand your deeper purpose, they’ll be more invested in your vision.

Challenging assumptions isn’t about discarding experience; it’s about evolving with intention. By asking these tough questions, you ensure your leadership remains dynamic, forward-thinking, and impactful. Growth starts with inquiry—so take the time to reflect, reframe, and redefine what’s possible.

Leadership Practice

Try the "Questioning Habit." For the next week, challenge at least one assumption per day. It could be about your leadership, your team, or your industry. Ask yourself, "What if this wasn’t true?" and explore new perspectives.

About Athena

Athena Williams, Founder and CEO of Tenacious Leadership Institute, has been supporting leaders worldwide to become more tenacious for over 20 years. She has found that tenacity is the key to sustained leadership success in today’s ever-changing world. Through her coaching and leadership development programs, she helps leaders expertly handle change, complexity and other challenges so they can quickly get better results for themselves, their teams and their organizations. Take the first step to becoming a tenacious leader by scheduling a call with us.