When I first stepped into leadership in my business, I thought I had it covered.

I had vision. I had goals. I was passionate and driven and ready to bring people along for the ride.

What I didn’t have? A clue about management.

I honestly thought leadership and management were the same thing. That setting the strategy was enough and that once I’d mapped out the big, bold vision, my team would just… get it.

Sometimes the hardest part of doing something brave is the first few seconds.

Starting the conversation. Saying what you really mean. Putting yourself out there.

It’s so much easier to do a lap of the kitchen and grab a snack, create new folders in your inbox, or talk yourself out of it completely.

I came across a stat recently that made me do a double-take: 👉 58% of customers won’t return after a bad experience. And yet… only 42% of businesses are consistently asking for feedback.

That means most of us are crossing our fingers and hoping we’re getting it right. And look, I don’t know about you—but “hope” is not the growth strategy I’m aiming for.

Let’s talk about something that often sneaks into our businesses wearing a responsible-looking blazer: playing small.

We tell ourselves we’re “being careful with money” by not hiring help. That we’re “being strategic” by holding off on that new offer. That “slow and steady wins the race,” so there’s no need to push forward right now.