The 99% of Leadership No One Talks About

People starting a business are going to hate hearing this…

It was 9 p.m. on a Friday, and my wife and I were on our way to a friend’s party.

We were on our way to where the drinks were flowing, the music was good, and for a brief moment, I had completely forgotten about work.?

Then a number I didn’t recognise rang me: “Hi, we’re working on the flooring in the office and the flooring was a different height, we have tried a couple of other people in your office but there was no answer. We were told to call you to come and assess the options.”?

How on earth could the flooring be a different height - only in Dubai!!!

The next obvious questions was why call me??Well, it was late on a Friday and my team were hopefully unwinding after a seriously long week!

Of course, they were told to call me.

Who else would they call??

It’s my business.?

So, I dropped my wife off to the party, drove to the office, and stood there—making sure everything was going to be ready for Monday morning when everyone else would be returning back to the office.

That’s the reality of being a CEO.

You have to be available to deal with the problems, no matter how small and crappy they might seem!?

People think running a business is all about featuring on podcasts, senior leadership lunches at fancy restaurants and playing golf with clients.?

But that’s maybe 1%.?

The other 99%? It’s about taking full responsibility for everything—big and small.? Ensuring that everyone in your business can do their job and earn to support their family!

If you’re not ready to roll up your sleeves, solve problems no one else wants to touch, and push through chaos, then running a business is not for you.

Here’s what most people don’t tell you about being a business owner:

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1.? ? Leadership Means Solving Problems Others Won’t Touch

I’ve visited the Acquisition.com HQ in Vegas twice.?

If you don’t know, Acquisition.com is an investment business run by Alex and Leila Hormozi—some of the most inspiring entrepreneurs I’ve ever seen.?

I remember last time I went, Alex shared how the first business he ever built with Leila was at the age of 23.??

At the time, they handled everything from their tiny apartment.?

They weren’t above anything, because in their words:

“If you won’t do the small stuff, you’re not ready for the big stuff.”

That’s the reality of building something from the ground up.

When you’re the CEO, the buck always stops with you… whether you like it or not.?

Why? Because nobody else could step in, and the business needed it done.

It’s the same principle I live by. Whether it’s carpets, tech issues, or an irate client, if it’s your business, it’s your responsibility.

Research shows that nearly 40% of a CEO’s time is spent directly managing problems like these—not glamorous, but essential.

You’re not above it.

And if you think you are, you won’t survive long as a leader.

To me – being a great leader is leading from the front and doing the things that I expect others to do!

2.? ? CEO: Chief Everything Officer?

Early on, I learned that being a business owner is about being a jack of all trades (initially!).

I remember getting into my office early—6–9am was to reach out to prospective clients, then have meetings from 9-5pm, only to do the admin and email side of things from 5-9pm.?

We would do this pretty much 6 days a week!

That’s just the reality.?

Yes, you’ll provide the service you’re passionate about—but that’s only a fraction of your role.

You’ll also be:

• HR—solving team conflicts and recruiting talent.
• Finance—tracking cash flow and managing payroll.
• Operations—fixing broken tech and ensuring the lights stay on.
• Marketing—chasing leads and perfecting your messaging.

?And you won’t be working with your “dream clients” right away. You’ll take on whoever is willing to work with you while you build your reputation.

I’ve been there, taking on small clients who had no idea what financial advice even was—let alone why they needed it.

It’s humbling, but it teaches you resilience and resourcefulness.

The quicker you embrace this reality, the better equipped you’ll be to grow your business.

And if you don’t want to do these things – don’t start a business!

There are thousands of amazing firms out there looking for people to service clients (Hoxton included!), so if that's your thing then great! Just don’t expect to do the same if you go solo.

3.? ? Delegation Doesn’t Mean Sitting Back?

There’s a debate in the business world known as ‘founder mode.’?

Basically, founders are going back and forth on whether they should be hands-on or step back as the business grows.

By the way, the people who are really heated about this online probably have too much time on their hands. Don’t you have a business to run?!?

From my experience, there will never be a point as a business owner that you’ll be able to sit back and throw the keys to your team fully.?

Delegation is essential, but it doesn’t mean you get to check out and let them run the show.

I’ve seen leaders who hand off everything, thinking their job is done. And almost always they end up regretting that choice.

Research from HBR shows that businesses with hands-on founders are significantly more likely to succeed in the long term.?

Why? Because they stay connected to the details, ensuring the vision is followed through.

Yes, you need to trust your team and delegate.?

But you also need to be in the meetings, making the tough calls, and staying close to the heart of the business.

Because if you’re not, who will?

Conclusion: The 99% Never Goes Away

?Here’s the harsh truth: The grunt work, the pressure, and the responsibility? That never disappears.

No matter how big your business gets, you’re still the one everyone looks to.

Their mortgages, their kids’ tuition, their lives—it all ties back to your decisions.

And that’s what makes leadership so challenging.?

The responsibility for others within your business, their family and their own livelihoods rest on your shoulders and this should not be taken lightly!

But if you’re someone who genuinely loves what you’re building, who wakes up every day ready to tackle the chaos, then you’ll understand:

• The 99% isn’t just worth it so you can get to the 1%.
• The 99% is worth it because it means getting to build the business of your dreams.?

And that’s enough for me.?

What about you?

Thanks for reading Don’t Shoot the Messenger

What’s the most unglamorous thing you’ve had to do for your business? I’d love to hear your stories—drop them in the comments.

And if this resonated with you, share it with someone who needs a dose of reality about running a business!