Who Owns the Answer?

I sat in the meeting room corner, resisting the urge to jump in.

Two teams were stuck. Typically, leaders would come in with solutions. But today was different.

Instead, we gathered the people who felt these challenges in their bones — the ones who faced these problems daily, felt the friction in their work, and whose success depended on discovering a better way.

Initially, silence filled the room...

Then someone shared a small frustration. Another person nodded, adding their perspective. Ideas started flowing — tentative at first, then gaining strength.

I witnessed something remarkable: solutions emerging that outsiders couldn't have designed. They weren't just fixes — they were transformations considering every ripple effect and downstream impact.

The energy shifted.
Eyes lit up.
Bodies leaned forward.
The excitement of possibility replaced the burden of problems.

My role?

Staying quiet.

Whenever I felt the urge to "help," I remembered: wisdom lives in the work. The people closest to the challenge aren't just stakeholders — they're solution creators.

They understand nuances a manager might miss.
They feel the pain points a mentor could overlook.
They know where the system bends and breaks.

Sometimes the most powerful thing a leader can do is create space. Step back. Trust the process. Let solutions emerge organically.

Why?

Because the most insightful answers come from those who live the questions.