I was sitting quietly looking at the landscape when a family walked by.

One of the kids pointed at the horizon and asked: “Why are all those trees knocked down?”

The father replied with confidence: “Forest fire, probably.”

Minutes later, a couple passed by. Same question.

This time: “Tornado. Must’ve been the wind.”

Then a group of friends. Another confident theory: “Look at the colour of the water… must be sulfates or chemicals killing the trees.”

Finally, a professional guide came along with a tour group. His explanation was different… and precise:

Volcanic soil + strong winds + shallow rocky layers = trees with no root depth.

They fall. Dry weather and low temperatures prevent decomposition. So the landscape stays frozen in time.

Moral of this real story:

Confidence ≠ competence.

Status ≠ expertise.

Narratives are cheap; understanding is expensive. Everyone has an opinion.

In leadership, the principle is the same. A CEO should listen broadly, but decisions aren’t democratic.

- If the issue is about the factory, trust the COO more than the HR lead.

- If it’s about pricing, listen to the commercial team, not the logistics guy.

- If it’s about culture, weigh HR and the field more than finance.

Right voices → better decisions.