Steer Away from Founders Syndrome and Build Confidence

First of all, I wanted to say thank you for tuning in to our weekly The Insider newsletter. It’s such a privilege to share these scaling insights, tips and advice with founders, CEOs and ambitious leaders, and it’s wonderful to have you as part of our community! So, for some food for thought to think about over the Christmas break and as we enter a new year, here are:

3 Scaling Tactics | 2 Leadership Lessons | 1 Reflection Question

3 Scaling Tactics

1) Business Owner or Employee of the Business?

If you’re someone who wants to achieve repeatable, sustainable success with scaling, you have to learn to step back from the business. When David Jenyns (Founder of SYSTEMology) recently joined me on the ScaleX Insider podcast, we discussed this very topic.

It can be easy for the owner of the business to become heavily involved in the daily management and the daily “grind” of the business, but this only acts as a hinderance. You have to learn to operate externally to the daily aspects of the business and it’s through embedding the right process and systems into your company that you will achieve this.

Just like David said: ‘Systems set you free.’

They help you spotlight on what’s important and the business’ weakness. If you want to successfully lead your company in scaling, it’s essential that the business can function without you because there is a significant difference between being a business owner vs an employee of your own business.

(Remember: SYSTEM = Save Your Self Time Energy & Money)

2) Don’t Fixate On Perks

A scaling tactic that is often overlooked can be employee perks. I’ve noticed that far too many companies tend to stress about the employee perks they offer. But the funny thing is, perks don’t really matter. Free coffee? Discounts? A staff ping pong table? It’s only going to take you so far. (Although fresh fruit on Tuesdays and Thursdays was a nice nod to our value on health and wellbeing 😉). It’s really about giving your people: - Autonomy. - Strong leadership. - A clear and inspiring vision. - Anchored in a compelling purpose. - And relentless support to do their best work. Don’t tie yourself up in knots worrying about perks. Give your people real value, that’s what they will really appreciate.

3) Founders Syndrome

A few weeks ago, I finished reading a great book called “Clear Thinking” by Shane Parrish and I couldn’t help but highlight this fantastic quote → ”Self-confidence is the strength to focus on what’s right instead of who’s right”.

Parrish recalls his own experience of stepping into the leadership role. At first, he thought he needed to have all the solutions and answers. But as time passed, he realised that what is more important is focusing on outcomes and results, rather than being the person who is always right.

He beautifully puts this as: “Outcome over Ego.”

I warn the leaders who work with us at Simple Scaling to be cautious of ‘Founder Syndrome.’

You must think of yourself as a custodian rather than an owner of the business. Don’t make decisions purely because you own it. Make decisions because it’s the right thing to do for the company.

2 Leadership Lessons

1) Confidence Needs Evidence

As we head towards a new year, it can be easy to fall into the trap of feeling overwhelmed by negative thinking or limiting beliefs (or even a touch of imposter syndrome.) But author and speaker Ryan Hawk reminded me of a fantastic point, he said:

”You have to prove to yourself that you can consistently do hard things. So when the next hard thing comes, think to yourself ‘I’ve done hard stuff before. I can do this’.”

Ryan recalls how confidence needs evidence. When we are pushed hard, when we are encouraged to do the difficult tasks and when we need to get outside of our comfort zone, that’s where we are presented with the opportunity to build confidence. It all filers back to the beliefs you choose to adopt.

2) Sharing Abundance With Others.

The other week, I had the pleasure of speaking with entrepreneur and ex-Air Force pilot Christian “Boo” Boucousis who shared this thought with me. As a leader, “you have to share abundance with others, and that abundance has to have a positive impact on the world”.

But most importantly, it has to be meaningful for everyone (and not just for you!)

You have to create an environment that is emotive and inclusive, where that abundance is shared within the team. As a leader, it is your responsibility to inspire, support others and solve their problems to help them reap the rewards of abundance.

(If you want to give this episode a listen too, it is one that I highly recommend!)

1 Reflection Question

As 2024 nears its close, I’d love for you to really take a moment to consider and think about this question. Be honest with yourself as you ponder this.

”What is it that you can do in 2025 to lead your team towards success? What is that you perhaps need to do less of?”

(Could this be stepping away from ego or perhaps even getting outside your comfort zone to build confidence?)

I hope you have enjoyed this week’s 321 newsletter!

From all of us at Simple Scaling, we hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year. We’ll be back in 2025 with even more scaling insights, tips, tricks and everything else in between!

Take Care,

Brendan