Becoming A Leaderless Leader
Becoming A Leaderless Leader
What responsibilities do business owners have when it comes to managing their power?
Power is seductive. I’m privileged in a way because I came into my position of power unexpectedly, and it initially scared me when I realized the influence I held. As a business owner or CEO, your power can grow to a point where it almost protects you, and that’s when you need to stop and consider how you’ll use it.
One key moment for me was when my young daughter asked why I needed to go to work on time. I explained that those were company rules, and she responded, “But aren’t you the boss?” Even at her age, she perceived that a boss could “get away with anything.” My response to her was, “That’s exactly why I should be the one who’s always on time—because with power comes responsibility.”
Power is real, and managing it consciously is essential to prevent falling into a power-driven trap. Recognizing and managing the responsibilities that come with power helps protect not only ourselves but also those we lead.
How can gaining clarity help business owners make better decisions?
Clarity always comes first. Think about the last time you felt overwhelmed—it might even be now. The issue with overwhelm is that you don’t know which decision will be the best or right one. You’re unsure what information to gather, how to organize it, or how to use it to reach a decision.
The moment you gain even a bit of clarity, it provides relief and allows you to realize you already have the skills to make decisions. From there, you can identify which decision to prioritize first. Once you have clarity, it becomes easier to decide: Should I choose A or B? What comes next—X, Y, or Z?
While many productivity books and organizational systems exist, they often don’t work when you're in a state of overwhelm. Overwhelm trumps logic. That’s when you need clarity, often from an external source—your spouse, a mentor, podcasts, or networking events. Sometimes, hearing a new perspective helps you reframe and structure the same information you couldn’t process before.
Clarity leads to decisions, and decisions lead to action. That action is what moves both you and your business forward. Simply gaining clarity isn’t enough—you have to act to get unstuck and keep progressing.
Why should business owners prioritize skills over personal rapport when hiring?
Thinking back, the worst decision I ever made—and one with a major impact on my business—was hiring an employee based on good faith rather than skills and fit. Early in my leadership journey, I hired someone because we “clicked” and I was grateful they wanted to work with my company. I didn’t yet have the tools, experience, or resources to handle the challenges that came with that decision.
Over time, that hire began to affect other employees, and I realized my business was at risk. As a leader, you can’t just ignore a mistake; you have to address and fix it to protect the team and the company. This experience taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, risk management, ethics, contracts, and employee management. I wouldn’t make the same mistake again, and in hindsight, I’m grateful for what I learned.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
