Get Out of Your Own Way: The Leadership Mindset That Drives Growth

As a business leader, your company’s growth is both your greatest achievement and your biggest challenge. You’ve poured your heart, soul, and countless hours into building something meaningful. But what happens when the very person driving the success—you—becomes the bottleneck for future growth?

I recently completed an analysis for a small manufacturing business that’s been experiencing rapid growth. The findings were clear: the company had immense potential, but its current management style was a recipe for stumbling into major obstacles. I didn’t just highlight the problems—I presented actionable strategies to tackle these challenges and preempt future ones.

The response?

• "You don't understand."

• "It's not that easy."

• "I'm only one person."

• "I don’t have enough support staff."

The list of excuses rolled on.

Here’s the hard truth: I do understand. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to feel like admitting a problem means admitting weakness. But refusing to acknowledge areas for improvement, or worse, being unwilling to change, is a surefire way to stunt your company’s growth—or worse, cause it to fail entirely.

The Ego Trap

Too often, leaders let their ego stand in the way of progress. It’s not that they want to fail, but admitting they need help or that their current approach isn’t working can feel like a personal attack. Many equate critique with questioning their competence, leadership, or integrity. But critique isn’t an attack—it’s an opportunity.

Ego isn’t inherently bad. It can drive us to innovate, challenge the norm, and push boundaries. But when it prevents us from seeking help, accepting feedback, or delegating, it becomes a liability.

"It’s Not That Simple"

One of the most common refrains I hear is, "It’s not that simple." Let me tell you something: it often is that simple. Simple doesn’t always mean easy, but complexity is often a convenient mask for inaction. Leaders resist solutions because they don’t want to admit they missed them, they don’t want to put in the effort, or they bristle at the idea of someone else telling them what to do.

The reality? Success often boils down to a willingness to:

1. Acknowledge the Problem: If your business is struggling with inefficiencies, bottlenecks, or stagnation, face it head-on.

2. Take Ownership: Recognize your role in the issue. As a leader, you set the tone for how problems are addressed—or ignored.

3. Get Out of Your Own Way: Learn to delegate, trust your team, and seek outside expertise when needed.

The Danger of Doing It All

The “wear every hat” approach is a noble sentiment, but it’s unsustainable. Trying to do everything yourself doesn’t make you a hero—it makes you a liability. Eventually, the weight of juggling every responsibility will catch up with you. You’ll burn out, your business will suffer, or both.

As the saying goes, “If you try to do everything, you’ll end up doing nothing well.” Focus on what only you can do as a leader and build a strong team to handle the rest.

Practical Steps to Lead for Growth

1. Build a Strategy: Growth without a plan is chaos. Develop clear, actionable steps for scaling your business.

2. Delegate Effectively: Hire or promote team members you can trust to take ownership of critical tasks. Empower them to succeed.

3. Ask for Help: Whether it’s a mentor, consultant, or coach, external perspectives can provide invaluable insights.

4. Stay Accountable: Own your decisions and their outcomes. Accountability is the hallmark of great leadership.

Final Thoughts

Your business is your baby, and it’s natural to feel protective of it. But growth requires letting go of control in certain areas so you can focus on leading effectively. The sooner you recognize that you’re not the only one who can “save” or grow your company, the sooner you can build a team and a strategy that will take your business to the next level.

Remember, success isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what matters. Get out of your own way and lead the way forward.