How to Unlearn Your Way to the Top

Must-Have Small Business Leadership Qualities

What you have to unlearn to go from a doer to a leader

Let’s be real, most small business owners get started as the person who is best at doing things for their business. You know, doing the graphic design for your clients. Doing the wedding planner for your couples. Doing the strategy for your projects. The thing is, eventually you’re gonna hit a ceiling—the capacity ceiling—and unless you’re cool with your business staying the size it already is, you’re probably going to start thinking about growing a team. But how do you go from being the person who gets shit done to the person who needs to lead?

Welp, it’s a journey filled with learning, growth, and (surprisingly) unlearning a lot of stuff too—because you’ve spent so much time running your small business a certain way. So in this episode of the Pretty Okay Podcast, I’ve got business strategist and coach, Audrey Joy Kwan, as my guest to talk about all the things you need to unlearn in order to grow into that leadership role. And, honestly, Audrey’s advice really hit home for me—and I know it will for you too. So listen to the episode and give these show notes a read to learn what the must-have small business leadership qualities are so you can start making that shift towards growth!

And before you dive in, Audrey has a great free resource for you! Snag her Mighty Pod Cheat Sheet to help you plan out growing your own team.

What’s the difference between a doer and a leader?

One of the most important things to know as you’re trying to grow as a leader is the fundamental difference between being a doer and being a leader. A doer is someone who excels at executing tasks, often focusing on getting things done efficiently and effectively. And even though having this skill is a must-have, it doesn't necessarily translate to leadership (unless you’re trying to be a bottleneck). A leader, on the other hand, guides others towards a shared vision and collective goals. This means stepping back from the nitty-gritty of daily tasks and focusing on the bigger picture. And as Audrey talks about in this episode, a leader inspires, motivates, and empowers their team to achieve more than they could individually. It's about creating an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to the organization's success.

The first thing you need to unlearn is having a single leadership style

Because the fact of the matter is, there's not a one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. Effective leadership comes in many forms, and it's essential for you to recognize and adapt to different styles—depending on what your team member needs. (Yup, you gotta do this!) Whether it's delegating, directing, supporting, or coaching, each style has its place and purpose. Delegating involves trusting your team with responsibilities and giving them the autonomy to execute tasks. Directing is about providing clear instructions and expectations. Supporting means being there for your team, offering guidance and encouragement. Coaching focuses on developing your team's skills and helping them grow.

The next thing to unlearn is focusing on time management

Because what you really need to do as you develop your leadership skills is focus on setting priorities. Now, don’t get me wrong, in the realm of small business leadership qualities, time management is not something you can just chuck aside. But Audrey is here to remind you that it's more about setting priorities than merely managing time. As a leader, you need to shift your focus from ticking off items on a checklist to identifying and prioritizing what truly matters for your business. This means understanding the long-term goals and vision for your small business and making sure every part of your business is working towards these things. It's about making strategic decisions that drive growth and success rather than getting bogged down in day-to-day operations. And even though it might be hard, setting clear priorities helps you allocate your (and your team’s) time and resources more effectively.

Then you have to unlearn being the person who solves all the problems

This one! This is one of the biggest leadership qualities you need to learn and one of the most significant shifts you need to make. And that’s moving away from solving problems yourself to empowering your team to tackle them. This can be a challenging transition, especially if you’re used to being the go-to problem solver. But (there’s another “but”), Audrey really wants you to know that empowering your team to solve problems is crucial for fostering a sense of ownership and accountability. Because when you step back and let your team handle issues, you give them opportunities to grow and develop their own problem-solving skills. This not only builds their confidence but also creates a more resilient and self-sufficient team (read: everyone isn’t going to come to you with every problem).

Next up? You have to unlearn your drive to avoid risk

What you have to do is actually learn how to manage risk. Now, when you just started your small business, avoiding risk might have been a survival strategy (cue the sweat). But, as a leader, you need to shift your mindset from avoiding risk to managing it—which means identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks to make informed decisions.

This means you have to be open to new opportunities and understand that calculated risks are necessary for growth. So instead of fearing potential pitfalls, focus on developing strategies to mitigate risks and turn challenges into opportunities.

Lastly, you have to unlearn being the person who gets feedback

As a small business leader, you’re no longer the person who receives feedback—you’re the one who has to give it. And I know a lot of you are freaking out at this (especially if you do everything you can do avoid conflict), but providing constructive feedback is essential for building a great team. The key here is to ask good questions and engaging in meaningful conversations rather than simply pointing out what’s wrong (which I bet you’re happy to hear). Focus on understanding the underlying issues and collaborating with your team to find solutions. And ask open-ended questions that encourage reflection and self-assessment. This approach not only helps your team members grow but also strengthens your relationship with them. By unlearning the habit of being the sole receiver of feedback, you become a more effective and empathetic leader.

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