You Don’t Have to Be a Hero: Success is a Team Effort
As I was preparing for a talk recently, one of my slides stated that as a leader, you can't be the hero in your own story. My wife, whom I asked to review my presentation, looked at me and said, “I think you’re the hero in our story.” I love her for saying that, and it made me feel great, but deep down, I know the truth.
In today's startup culture, founders are constantly placed on a pedestal, revered for their vision, tenacity, and ability to build great companies. It's become cool to be a founder, with the media and society celebrating founders as modern-day heroes. However, truly successful founders know a valuable lesson: they cannot be the hero in their own stories. Success is the result of relationships and habits on the personal front and the product of great teams and systems on the business front.
The Power of People
One great example of the power of people in my own life is my current assistant. Her ability to stay on top of projects and move things along independently and efficiently has had a significant impact on my productivity. I can focus more on the most critical aspects of my work, knowing that she is taking care of the rest and is competent at it.
These experiences with my team always remind me that success is not a solo endeavor. It's the result of surrounding yourself with talented, passionate individuals who share your vision and are willing to work to make it a reality. My job as a leader is to trust and enable them to make it happen. Of course, this means if there is a talent deficiency, we fix it. Don’t accommodate people who cannot successfully execute.
Leaders who are always the smartest in the room or feel the need to be the smartest in the room rarely build great things. Instead, they often create an environment where their team members feel undervalued and unappreciated, leading to a lack of motivation and productivity. Great leaders know they should surround themselves with people they can learn from.
This lesson applies to personal relationships, too. One of my very first investors at TheraNest was a friend, and he took a chance on me because of our relationship. Surrounding yourself with great people and taking the time to nurture those relationships pays dividends for your personal fulfillment. You may be surprised how much it also impacts your professional life.
The key on both the personal and professional front is to build habits and systems that enable that relationship-building
Fulfillment and Success
Founders who lose sight of the importance of relationships, both personal and professional, and the power of great teams and systems are setting themselves up for failure and a lack of fulfillment. Success is not a result of personal heroics but about being a leader who inspires, supports, and empowers others to achieve greatness and then creates an enabling environment that lets them shine. In doing so, you not only contribute to the success of your team but also find personal fulfillment in your leadership role.
Focus on building strong teams, fostering positive habits and culture, and creating an environment where your team can thrive. Remember, the true measure of a leader is not how much they accomplish on their own but how much they enable others to achieve.
In the end, my wife's comment about me being the hero in my story served as a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing the contributions of others. In so many ways, she’s the actual hero in the story, but by acknowledging me, she motivates me. As leaders, we can never forget that our success, and even our fulfillment in what we do, is intricately tied to the success of those around us.