As a small business owner, you’re juggling a lot—whether it’s handling finances, marketing, or customer service, the to-do list is never-ending. But if there is a secret that can truly make a difference in your business’s success, it’s your people and how you lead them. Supporting and leading your team is crucial, and that’s why the insights from Pat Lencioni really hit home for me.
I was listening to an episode of Lencioni’s podcast that got me thinking about leadership. There are so many buzzwords around leadership: Servant Leadership, Transformational Leadership, Co-Active Leadership, Change Leadership—those are titles I got just looking on my bookshelf. But with all these different styles, I couldn’t help but wonder: What do they all have in common? Shouldn’t leaders share some universal focus?
One could argue, it comes down to three important core qualities: humility, courage, and wisdom.
Humility: The Foundation of Great Leadership
A good leader is someone who puts their team’s growth and success ahead of their own need for recognition. If you’re humble as a leader, you’re not just willing to admit when you’re wrong—you’re actively looking for people who can do things better than you. By surrounding yourself with people who excel in areas where you might not, you’re building a stronger, more capable team.
Humility is also about understanding that leadership isn’t about you being in the spotlight. It’s about making sure your team has everything they need to shine. When your team feels valued and supported, they’re more likely to do their best work, and that, in turn, makes your job easier and your business more successful.
Courage: The Backbone of Accountability
Being a leader takes courage. You’ve got to be willing to take risks, stand up for what’s right, and hold people accountable—even when it’s uncomfortable. Sure, avoiding tough conversations might feel easier in the moment, but it doesn’t help anyone in the long run. Real courage means facing challenges head-on, giving honest feedback, and helping your team improve.
Courage also means being open about your fears and insecurities but choosing to move forward anyway. When your team sees you leading with courage, it inspires them to be brave too, and that creates a culture where everyone is willing to step up and do what needs to be done.
Wisdom: The Heart of Emotional Intelligence
Wisdom in leadership isn’t just about knowing your stuff—it’s about being self-aware, managing your emotions, and understanding the people around you. According to Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves, emotional intelligence is “the single biggest predictor of performance in the workplace and the strongest driver of leadership and personal excellence.”
When you’re in tune with your own emotions and those of your team, you’re better at managing relationships, reducing conflicts, and getting better results. Wisdom in leadership creates an environment where everyone can do their best work, which leads to greater success for your business.
Applying These Values in Your Small Business
As a small business owner, embracing these principles can really change how you lead and how your team operates. It’s not about jumping on the latest leadership trend; it’s about truly understanding and living out these core values every day.
When you lead with humility, courage, and wisdom, you create a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and motivated to succeed. And that’s when your business really starts to take off. So, as you continue to grow as a leader, take some time to reflect on these qualities. Share what you’re learning, talk about your experiences with others, and keep pushing yourself to improve. By doing this, you’ll not only become a better leader but also build a thriving, successful business.