Siya Kolisi and why not knowing can be a strength in leadership

What would you do when you’re 21 points down in your first match as captain? Some lessons from the South African rugby captain's art of leadership.

Often the art of leadership is considered to be something more of a science: skilling up, building expertise and wisdom, having the quick-fire responses to questions. But what happens when the task of leadership takes us beyond our capacities and our knowledge, and under time pressure? Because this is what leadership often involves – going through unforeseen challenges and taking people with you. I was so struck reading recently by Siya Kolisi’s approach to leadership, marked that most underrated of leadership qualities: humility.

Strong leadership is often defined by a dominant figure, always sure-footed and soaking up the limelight. What if, however, we mistake a different, more effective kind of leadership for no leadership at all? Kolisi says, ‘I’ve got no ego at all. I think for a leader it shows strength when you know what you don’t know. A lot of people get it wrong when they want to talk about things they don’t know, and they lead people in the wrong direction.’