My Biggest Mistakes as a Leader — And What They Taught Me About Real Leadership

Leadership isn’t about titles or telling people what to do — it’s about how you show up, how you communicate, and how you grow others while growing yourself. I’ve learned this the hard way.

In a recent live video, I opened up about my biggest leadership mistakes — the moments that cost me time, energy, and trust — and more importantly, the lessons that came from them. Today, I want to share those insights with you, so you can build a stronger, more empowered team without making the same missteps I did.

1. Delegation Is Not "Passing Things Off"

One of my earliest leadership mistakes was assuming that delegation meant simply handing off a task and moving on. I thought if I asked someone to do something, they understood it the way I did. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.

Real delegation requires clarity.

You need to communicate:

• What needs to be done
• What success looks like
• Why the task matters

I started using what I call the 10/80/10 Rule and creating success sheets — clear outlines of project details, the definition of "done," and the purpose behind it all.

Pro Tip: Record yourself doing the task (screen recording works great!) and explain both the how and the why. It’s a game-changer.

2. Always Explain the "Why"

When people understand the why, they make better decisions without needing constant supervision.

If you only tell someone what to do, they’ll come back every time they hit a roadblock. But if you show them the bigger picture, they’ll navigate challenges with confidence.

"Inspect what you expect," I like to say — but always tie it back to the vision.

3. Empower Problem Solvers, Not Problem Reporters

At first, I was frustrated when team members would get stuck and wait for me to fix it. The breakthrough? Teaching the 1-3-1 rule:

• Find 1 issue causing 80% of the problem
• Brainstorm 3 possible solutions
• Choose 1 best solution

This simple framework turned my team into problem solvers instead of bottlenecks — and gave them the confidence to take action.

4. If You Want a Strong Team, You Must Pour Into Them

I used to expect my team to operate at an "owner’s level" without giving them the knowledge to do so. Big mistake.

If you’re growing personally (through books, seminars, coaching), you have a responsibility to invest that wisdom into your team.

Ask them:

• What experiences do you want in life?
• What kind of person do you need to become?
• How can you help others along the way?

When you develop people, you don’t just build a business — you build loyalty, culture, and momentum.

5. Never Stop Improving (Kaizen)

Leadership isn’t a destination; it’s a daily practice. I live by the concept of Kaizen — a never-ending pursuit of being 1% better every day.

This means:

• Gratitude every morning
• Moving my body
• Reviewing my numbers
• Creating content
• Working on the business (not just in it)

I also use the Ivy Lee Method: at the end of each day, I list the six most important tasks for tomorrow — and prioritize ruthlessly.

6. Leadership Is Everywhere

You don’t need a title to be a leader. Whether you're parenting, volunteering, or running a chair rental salon, you lead by how you show up.

Even independent stylists can delegate tasks like booking or editing videos to free themselves up to lead in marketing, education, or building community.

Leadership is action, not position.

7. How to Attract (and Keep) Great Team Members

If you want amazing people, you have to be amazing.

• Create content that shares your culture and values.
• Host events to connect with your local industry.
• Build a brand where people want to work.

Hire for hunger and character first. Skills can be taught; mindset cannot.

8. Standards Are Non-Negotiable

Your standard of customer service has to be lived, taught, and protected. And yes, that means having the hard conversations when someone falls short.

Before every difficult conversation:

• Set a clear goal for the outcome.
• Listen first.
• Be direct but kind.
• Don’t end the conversation until you reach an understanding.

9. Spotting Future Leaders

True leaders are easy to spot:

• They step up without being asked.
• They’re the ones others naturally trust and turn to.

But don’t confuse technical skill with leadership readiness — mindset matters more.

10. Leadership Without Being Physically Present

You don't have to be in the building to have influence. If you’ve built strong standards, trained your team well, and cultivated the right culture, your leadership echoes even in your absence.

Hiring people with drive and integrity ensures that your business can thrive whether you're there or not.

11. Final Lesson: Don't Be the Bottleneck

If you’re ready to grow, you have to stop being the bottleneck.

It starts with:

• A clear vision
• A game plan
• Consistent, small steps every day

And if you’re serious about building systems that free you up, DM me the word "grow" — I’ll send you the playbooks and resources that helped me level up.

Final Thoughts

Leadership is a journey of mistakes, growth, and continuous learning. I’m still in it, every day. And the more I pour into my people, hold high standards, and stay committed to my own growth — the more my team and my business thrive.

If you take anything from my mistakes, let it be this: Leadership is not about being the boss. It's about building people, solving problems, and never settling for yesterday’s best.

Let’s lead better — together.

 

Watch Full Podcast HERE