3 Massive Leadership Missteps That Cost My Company Millions
No leader can succeed without mastering failure.
I've spent the last 15 years training for a sometimes clumsy fight with my international aerospace business.
I've often ended up on my face — ego shattered and bruised.
My goal has been to surpass $100,000,000 in annual revenue, yet many of my decisions were focused on "business as usual" rather than "business strategy" to get us there.
And if there's one thing "business as usual" does better than anything else, it pulls you into a vortex of daily tasks and sucks you down an endless whirlwind.
But that's leadership and a crucial way to learn and grow.
These are my 3 biggest missteps to help you prepare for your fight — I've tripped so you don't have to:
Failure 1: Self-care Negligence
To the leaders out there prioritizing everything but themselves, here's a wake-up call:
You can't pour from an empty cup.
There was a time when I operated on fumes, caffeine, and sheer willpower. My grit got me through it, but it didn't last when I abused it. My performance slumped, my health suffered, and so did my business.
Nourishing yourself isn't just about feeling good; it's about performing at your peak and leading your team to be their best.
Practicing self-care includes nutrition, exercise, sleep, meditation, and stress management.
But most of all, it includes investing time in the people you love.
Failure 2: Control-itis
There have been hundreds of times I've been the bottleneck strangling my business's growth.
Leadership isn't about control but about facilitation. Foster an environment of trust, empower your team, and get out of their way.
Your team can do amazing things if you stop hoarding tasks and let them shine — as long as you delegate within their competency level.
Failure 3: Shiny Object Syndrome
It's easy to fall for the lure of the 'next great idea,' neglecting what truly matters.
In hindsight, I can see how my distractions caused my company's vision to blur. I got bored — I chased novelty. The next 'thing' pulled my focus away, and I paid the price with massive opportunity costs.
Stay focused. Keep your eyes on the goal.
Remember:
You and your business (or career) are not separate entities. Your well-being matters. Your focus matters. Invest in yourself and prioritize what's truly important.
We've all had our tumbles and missteps.
But the real tragedy is letting those trips and stumbles come to waste. Learn from them. Learn from me.
Get back up, shake it off, and fight a better fight.
