Kevin McDonnell

Why Your Team Isn’t Performing (And It’s Not Their Fault) A high-performing team starts with a high-performing leader. A founder once came to me frustrated with their team: Missed deadlines, low morale, and constant turnover. The problem wasn’t their people - it was their leadership. They weren’t communicating clear goals, and their feedback was more criticism than guidance. Once we revamped their leadership style - clarity in expectations, regular check-ins, and celebrating wins the transformation was night and day. Your team reflects your leadership. If they’re struggling, it’s time to look in the mirror. What’s one leadership lesson that’s changed how you manage your team? P.S. If your team rated your leadership on a scale of 1-10, what do you think they’d say?

People overcomplicate being a CEO. If you’re a new CEO: Avoid: Making every decision alone. Trying to fix everything at once. Instead: Build trust with your team. Focus on clarity over complexity. The first six months are about listening, not rushing.

When Letting Go Is the Smartest Move You’ll Make Delegation isn’t a weakness, It’s a superpower. A founder I coached was managing everything. From client pitches to payroll. They thought, If I don’t do it, who will? Sound familiar? Their turning point came when they realised this: Every hour spent micromanaging was an hour they weren’t building the future of their business. We focused on hiring the right people and creating processes they could trust. Six months later, they were working half as much and closing twice as many deals. Delegation doesn’t just free up your time. It unlocks your business’s potential. What’s the one task you’d delegate today if you could? P.S. Be honest - how good are you at letting go? Scale of 1-10.

What I Struggled with When I First Became a CEO It wasn’t just the title; it was the weight of every decision, every expectation, every eye watching to see if I could pull it off. Stepping into a leadership role doesn’t come with a magic manual. And let me tell you - I made plenty of mistakes. Thinking I Had to Have All the Answers I thought being the CEO meant I needed to be the smartest person in the room. Spoiler: It doesn’t. The real strength lies in asking for help and surrounding yourself with people smarter than you in areas where you’re weak. Micromanaging Everything I was scared of letting go—of trusting others with “my vision.” But micromanaging doesn’t empower your team; it stifles them. Once I learned to delegate (and actually step back), everything changed. Ignoring My Own Needs Burnout? Been there. For months, I worked ridiculous hours, fueled by caffeine and the fear of failure. Then I realised: taking care of myself wasn’t selfish—it was necessary to show up for the team. Each of these lessons came the hard way. Leadership isn’t about perfection. It’s about growth. If you’re a new CEO (or stepping into any leadership role) here’s my advice: - Admit when you don’t know something. - Empower your team (don’t babysit them). - Treat self-care like a non-negotiable business strategy.

The One Growth Trap Most Founders Walk Into More revenue doesn’t always mean a better business. I once met a founder whose SaaS company was scaling fast. 10x revenue growth in two years. But behind the scenes? Chaos. Operations couldn’t keep up. Their team was overwhelmed, and profitability was in freefall. Growth is exciting, but only if it’s sustainable. Together, we rebuilt their systems - streamlined workflows, hired intentionally, and prioritised customer retention. Not only did they stabilise, but profits improved. Chasing growth is easy. Building stability takes strategy. What’s your biggest challenge balancing growth with sustainability? P.S. If you had to choose between fast growth or consistent profits, which would you prioritise?

Your First Hires Will Make or Break Your Growth The first hires you make aren’t just employees – they’re founding partners in your vision. The skills you look for are just as important as the qualities you encourage. Curiosity, resilience, a growth mindset. One of the biggest mistakes I see? Hiring for speed rather than fit. If you want to scale, you need to invest in the right people first. Your business depends on it. What’s one quality you won’t compromise on in your team? Let me know below

Who told you that sleepless nights and stress are just part of the grind? I once worked with a founder who wore burnout like a badge of honour. To them, exhaustion was proof of hard work. Burnout doesn’t make you a better leader. It makes you reactive, less creative, and prone to bad decisions. When we started working together, we implemented simple changes - automated low-value tasks, set clearer priorities, and even scheduled downtime. Within 3 months, they were leading with clarity and confidence, and their business grew faster than ever. Burnout isn’t a requirement for success - it’s the thing holding you back. What’s one habit you’ve built to protect your energy as an entrepreneur? P.S. Be honest - how many hours of real rest did you get last week?

Building a Business Is Hard, But… Here’s what no one told me about building a business: It’s not just hard – it’s personally transformative. The challenges you face will force you to grow, question your assumptions, and reimagine what’s possible. And that’s the gift of entrepreneurship. It’s not just about building something great – it’s about becoming someone great. If you’re on this journey, share one lesson you’ve learned that has shaped who you are today. I’d love to hear your stories.

Many founders have a single “superpower” that got them where they are – whether it's product vision, marketing, or operational efficiency. But that same strength can hold you back if you’re overly reliant on it. What if, instead, you doubled down on developing the skills that challenge you most? That’s where real growth happens. What’s the one area of growth you’ve been avoiding?

How you think you should lead as a CEO: Be everywhere, know everything, solve every problem. How you actually lead as a CEO: Trust your team and guide them. Simplify your focus to what moves the needle. Leadership isn’t about doing it all. It’s about doing what matters.