Too often in business, leadership gets misunderstood. It becomes a badge, a job title, a rung on the ladder. But real leadership is not about being in charge, it's about supporting those you lead.

The strongest leaders I’ve worked with have one thing in common, they never forget that it’s not about them. Every decision, every conversation, every priority is made with the team’s prosperity in mind, not their own. When the team wins, the leader wins. It's that simple.

Be You — Not a Version of Someone Else

There’s a lot of pressure to conform in leadership. To mimic styles that have worked for others. The best leaders I know are unapologetically authentic. They lead with honesty, vulnerability, and consistency. People don’t follow titles, they follow people that are authentic. I encourage my leaders to always be themselves, especially when they think it might be the wrong choice.

Empower to Elevate

Great leadership is about unlocking potential, not controlling outcomes. When you focus on empowering others, you not only accelerate the growth of individuals, you future-proof your business. A team that is supported, trusted and stretched becomes a force for the organisation and for each other. This can be a hard skill to acquire as it means letting go of your role at times, and not landing the winning shot. That’s ok, because its not about you.

Respect Is Earned, Not Inherited

A job title doesn’t buy you respect, although many think it does, its your actions that do. If you’re not willing to do what you’re asking others to do, your credibility crumbles. People don’t respond to “do as I say, not as I do.” They respond to consistency, fairness, and a sense of shared purpose. Respect is built slowly and lost quickly. Don’t forget that.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Effective leadership is tailored, not templated. Your team isn’t a machine it’s a collection of individuals, each with different learning styles, motivations and fears. Some are visual learners. Some are deep thinkers. Others are instinctive, analytical, or reserved. To truly lead, you need to understand how each person ticks and adapt your style to bring out their best. The best leaders don’t just manage performance they unlock potential.

Being Wrong Is a Superpower

Let’s be honest, no one enjoys being wrong. But if you’re afraid to be wrong, you’re afraid to grow. Strong leaders own their mistakes, learn from them, and model that behaviour for their team. Admitting you don’t have all the answers isn’t a weakness, it’s a sign of maturity, and it gives your team permission to learn and take risks too.

Vision Isn’t Enough — Influence Is Everything

Direction matters. Teams want to know where they’re going and why. But setting a direction isn’t enough, you need your team to want to come with you. Not because they’re told to, but because they believe in the journey. That’s where influence and magnetism come in. The most powerful leaders create movements, not mandates. They inspire people to choose to follow.