[Flash] Eva Longoria’s Leadership Advice: Best Idea Wins

In addition to her work in front of and behind the camera, Eva has launched her own fashion and perfume brands, opened a restaurant, and published a cookbook.

When Eva appeared on the podcast Project Swagger recently, she shared her leadership philosophy:

best idea wins.

“Being a leader is leaning on mentors and asking questions. I love gathering people and teams and going, I want to do this. I just don’t know the approach. When someone goes, what about… or why don’t you do it this way? I go, great!”

She went on to emphasize that leadership is about leading other people’s creativity. It’s not about having to have all the answers and being smarter than anyone else.

“It’s about orchestrating an amazing team.” 

Essentially, Eva approaches leadership like a learning conversation, a mastermind of thought partners. She looks to people on her team to mentor her and each other with their perspectives, creativity, and ideas.

Instead of proving herself, she’s producing great solutions which, requires Eva to be vulnerable, receptive, and even patient. 

Ideas don’t flow without a foundation of trust.

• They need to trust that she genuinely wants ideas.
• Trust that she values collaboration.
• Trust that she will appreciate, not judge, their contributions.

This approach is challenging. I’ve been working on it ever since I asked my team to evaluate my leadership (read: When I Looked for Blind Spots).

I discovered that they want me to create the capacity for their contributions. And then invite them to contribute.

I have a propensity for saying yes and improving on the move.

But being an improve-on-the-move driver locks me into finding the answer, rather than orchestrating my team’s creativity.

It’s the difference between being right and being in relationship.

Granted, sometimes being right is imperative. “Best idea wins!” does not work for brain surgery or air traffic control.

But it works magic when we are committed to growing people, bolstering confidence, boosting resilience, and preparing people for change.

The secret is to announce the request intentionally. 

• “I could use some new ideas.”
• “What am I missing?”
• “Could you help me think through this?”
• “I’m open to different perspectives.”
• “Best idea wins!”

Inevitably, it sparks ownership. People support that which they help create.

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