The leadership mindset that makes (or costs) millions

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb

THE QUESTION

Are you hiring top talent just to make them ‘helpers’?

Too many leaders believe that success comes from being the smartest person in the room.

The myth of the lone visionary—the brilliant but difficult leader who drives everything forward through sheer force of will—has been glorified in business and tech culture for decades.

But is this the kind of leadership that truly builds enduring success?

THE RESEARCH

History is full of examples of so-called "genius leaders" who struggled because they tried to do it all alone. Consider these cases:

• Steve Jobs was removed from Apple in the 1980s because his leadership alienated his team. He only found lasting success after learning to collaborate and trust others.
• Elon Musk lost PayPal due to poor leadership, and his struggles with leadership dynamics continue today.
• Jeff Bezos openly admitted to hiring a leadership coach to improve his effectiveness as a leader.

But the best leaders aren’t lone geniuses with a thousand helpers. They’re team builders who create the conditions for collective success.

Research on collective intelligence shows that teams consistently outperform individuals, no matter how talented those individuals may be.

The most effective leaders know that their primary role isn’t to have all the answers—it’s to unlock the potential of the people around them.

This is particularly crucial for companies investing in leadership development. Hiring exceptional talent is only half the equation; equipping them with the skills to lead, collaborate, and grow is what transforms an organization from a collection of employees into a high-performing team.

SOME ADVICE

I had to learn this lesson the hard way.

In my early leadership days, I thought being a strong leader meant pushing forward with my own vision, making tough calls, and proving I had the right answers. I made bold moves, cut inefficiencies, and drove results. But I also found myself at odds with my own team.

Numbers improved, but the trust? The collaboration? The engagement? Not so much. And leadership without trust is a house built on sand.

What I eventually realized is that a leader’s success is measured by their ability to elevate others, not by their ability to do everything themselves.

True leadership isn’t about being the genius. It’s about creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

For organizations, this means fostering a culture where leadership isn’t concentrated at the top but developed at all levels. That's how teams become more agile, resilient, and capable of driving success without constant top-down oversight.

YOUR HACK

So, how do you shift from the "genius leader" mindset to a team-first leadership approach? Start with these four steps:

1. Shift from Authority to Facilitation – Stop seeing yourself as the one with all the answers. Instead, become the one who asks the best questions, brings out insights from others, and facilitates collaboration.

2. Share Ownership of Outcomes – Move away from a "me" mindset and towards a "we" culture. Create an environment where team members feel real ownership over the organization's success.

3. Prioritize Psychological Safety – The best teams are built on trust, not fear. Encourage open dialogue, embrace feedback (even when it’s hard), and foster an environment where people feel safe to take risks.

4. Prioritize Your Team's Development - When companies invest time and resources in leadership development, they aren’t just helping managers become better leaders—they’re building organizations that can scale, adapt, and thrive in the long term. Leadership training isn’t just an expense; it’s an investment in sustainable growth and long-term success.

PARTING THOUGHTS

Leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room.

It’s about making the room smarter.

When you stop trying to be the genius and start focusing on unlocking the genius in others, you don’t just lead—you build something far more powerful: a high-performing team that can sustain success long after you’re gone.

So ask yourself: Are you leading like a lone genius, or are you leading like a team builder?

Unleash Your Leadership Potential:

Your Accelerated Leadership Course

Feeling stuck in your leadership journey? The challenges of modern management—like connecting with unmotivated teams or navigating office politics—can leave even the best managers frustrated and overwhelmed.

But here's the truth: You don't have to face them alone.

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• Shift from tactical to strategic thinking effortlessly.
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• Master organizational dynamics with confidence.
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Why wait to become the leader your team deserves?

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Discover more here.

Sincerely,

The Unicorn Labs Team

(P.S. We have a podcast! Check out our conversations with fellow leaders on Apple Podcasts & Spotify)

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!