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Lemonlight recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, and to rejoice, I’m taking a look at how much has changed each inside the company and in my leadership role.
I started off looking for solutions over time, but my approach to leadership has evolved in significant ways over the years. Here are the top ten changes in my leadership since we began this journey.
1. I’m more proactive than reactive
In the starting, I often reacted to events one by one – fires would seem and I’d rush to place them out. Now I attempt to anticipate problems before they change into problems. Being proactive saves time, stress and energy and allows us to focus on moving forward somewhat than always playing catch-up.
2. I ask more questions
When I used to be starting out, I sometimes skipped asking questions, pondering I already knew the answers or would just figure them out on my own. But over the years I’ve learned that asking questions up front saves a lot of time and energy. I now ask questions of everyone—team members, customers, and partners—because understanding their perspective and providing the context I want helps me make smarter decisions.
3. I’m more market-oriented
(*10*) I began Lemonlight, I had no manufacturing experience, so I needed to learn a lot about the industry and the market through trial and error. Now I’m closely watching what’s happening in space, so we will stay one step ahead. Greater awareness of market changes has helped in making every day decisions and long-term planning.
4. Over time, I built confidence
In the starting, I struggled with a lot of doubts. I had already failed once in business, so I often questioned my decisions and wondered if I used to be really cut out for this. Over the years, I have gained confidence through ups and downs. I know what I’m able to now, which makes me a stronger leader for my team.
5. I take heed to my instincts
Truth be told, trusting my instincts didn’t come naturally at first. I often questioned them and ended up in situations I probably could have avoided. Nowadays, I rely on these feelings – I have found that my instincts are often correct, and trusting them has change into a huge advantage.
6. I learned to balance data and human knowledge
Data is essential, there is little doubt about it. But over the years, I’ve realized that the people and stories behind the numbers are just as essential. Balancing data and the human side of things gives a more complete picture and helps us make smart, people-centric decisions.
7. I gave up control and accepted delegation
When you are starting a business, it’s tempting to attempt to do every little thing. But over the last decade, letting go and trusting others has been a game-changer. Delegating allowed me to focus on the larger picture and helped build trust and expertise across the team.
8. I’m more growth-oriented
In the starting, I used to be focused on achieving immediate goals. My working days were spent fixing and managing the company. Now I focus on development and scaling – each for the company and for the individuals who work here. Instead of putting out fires, I spend more time helping to chart the path forward for our company and our team.
9. I became a mentor to other entrepreneurs
I’ve learned a lot over the years by connecting with other entrepreneurs in the trenches. Now that I have absorbed some of this wisdom, it has been incredibly rewarding to share my own lessons with others. I like supporting latest entrepreneurs, helping them overcome challenges and avoid some of the mistakes I made.
10. I learned to administer my emotions
Leadership comes with stress, and managing emotions was key. At first I got carried away by the ups and downs, but now I have the tools to maintain things regular and get well from the bad days. This was essential for my well-being and creating a positive work environment.
The day we founded Lemonlight, I never imagined the company would find yourself where it is. These ten lessons were all transformative in their very own way, helping us take small steps forward that add up over the years. If you are on your leadership journey, I hope these lessons will enable you proceed to grow as well!