It was 2:45 p.m., and my son, Cameron, and I were lost and already 15 minutes late for a birthday party for his 7-year-old friend. True to the male stereotype, I was bent on finding my way without directional assistance. Convinced that he was missing crucial elements of the party, Cameron piped up and pleaded, "Dad, stop and get directions! If you had asked somebody for help as soon as we got lost we could have been there by now."

My 7-year-old had just taught me an important lesson in leadership. The I'll-find-my-way-on-my-own attitude can impair your ability to navigate effectively, and the situation gets worse the longer you dig your heels in. Whether in a car or a leadership role, openness to input can get you where you want to go faster than figuring it out on your own.

The phrase "I don't know" should be a staple of every leader's vocabulary. To think that you have the answers for every leadership situation you're faced with is unrealistic. Take advantage of the varying knowledge ...