The “6–7” Mistake Every Smart Leader Makes Without Knowing.

Discover why smart leaders question AI instead of blindly following it.

Author

Glenda Carnate
October 24, 2025

Read time: 2.5 minutes

Ever caught yourself giving an answer that sounds confident but means nothing? That’s what happened when I asked my son how AI knows things.

He looked up from his toy and said, “Easy. 6–7.” I stared, waiting for more, but that was it. The logic was nonsense, but the confidence was pure CEO energy. And suddenly, it clicked. That was me a few years ago... giving perfect-sounding answers, running the show, and mistaking control for clarity. I realized I had become the AI in my own company, replying “because I said so” when my team needed understanding, not orders.

That moment changed how I lead. Instead of fixing problems, I started teaching thinking. Instead of having answers, I started asking better questions. And when I finally stopped acting like AI, my team started acting like leaders.

Research shows 46% of people do not fully trust AI systems (Melbourne Business School, 2025). And maybe that’s a good thing. Because if AI or a leader can’t explain the why, trust doesn’t follow.

Practical Leadership Strategies: From “Knowing It All” to Building Thinkers.

1. Stop fixing. Start trusting.
Don’t jump in to solve every problem yourself. Guide your team to think through solutions on their own.

2. Teach thinking, not process.
Focus on helping people understand why things work, not just how to do them. That’s how you build problem-solvers.

3. Delegate with clarity.
Be clear about goals and expectations, then let your team decide how to get there. Trust their judgment.

4. Validate AI with human logic.
Always cross-check what AI or data tools suggest. Discuss it with your team before acting.

5. Encourage questioning.
Create a culture where asking “why” is valued. Reward curiosity and new ideas instead of blind agreement.

💡Key Takeaway: 

Great leaders don’t try to know everything; they build teams that think deeply and question boldly. True leadership is about creating an environment where curiosity and growth thrive.

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