Adapting Your Leadership Skills as Your Business Grows
Introduction
From a young age, I’ve been fascinated by leadership. As the oldest of eight kids, guiding others was a necessity, not a choice. Over time, I’ve come to recognize that the leadership qualities you need will shift as teams and companies scale. Leading a small, hands-on team is one thing; guiding a larger organization with more complexity is something else entirely.
Why Leadership Changes with Size
When companies are small, it’s all about people skills and direct interaction. You can know everyone personally, understand their motivations, and tailor your approach. But as a team grows and you move up the organizational ladder, success demands a different skill set. Business acumen, strategic thinking, and organizational expertise start to matter more than just knowing everyone’s name and what makes them tick.
A Real-World Example
I once knew a CEO who thrived when the company was just five people. He was hands-on, collaborative, and excellent at motivating the small team. But when the staff ballooned to 20 or more, the same interpersonal approach wasn’t enough. Suddenly, he needed to navigate budgets, streamline processes, and create structure—things he never had to focus on before. Without those strategic skills, the business plateaued and never reached its full potential.
People vs. Processes
This isn’t to say that interpersonal skills stop mattering at higher levels. In fact, they remain crucial—just not alone. At a more executive level, understanding market trends, resource management, and organizational design is critical. Too many leaders fail because they rely solely on what worked when their team was small, without recognizing that the “how” must evolve as their sphere of influence grows.
Learning to Pivot
If you’re currently managing a small team and aiming to grow, consider what skills you’ll need next. Maybe it’s time to brush up on strategic thinking or strengthen your ability to interpret data. This doesn’t mean you abandon your people skills—far from it. Rather, you layer on new capabilities that help you run a more complex operation.
Balancing Both Worlds
Ultimately, effective leadership is about balance. Knowing when to lean into your people-centric strengths and when to pivot toward organizational strategy is key. Strive to be adaptable: embrace personal development, seek out mentors, and always look for opportunities to gain new skills. As your business evolves, so should your leadership.