12 Lessons These Business Leaders Are Still Learning About How to Succeed

Professional development is often focused on improving yourself and your skills to help you move up in your career. The better you are at something, and the more skills you have, the higher on the ladder you can climb. But no one ever truly reaches perfection — not even leaders. Learning doesn’t stop once you become the boss. In fact, it’s even more important that you continue to learn as a leader if you want to grow, innovate and succeed as a business.

So what are some of the things you can learn? Here, 12 business leaders from Rolling Stone Culture Council discuss the things about themselves they have had to work on improving over the years and why it’s so important other leaders do the same. 

To Follow My Gut More

Despite many years of success, I still have to learn to follow my gut more. It’s OK to trust in others, such as investors, mentors, colleagues or clients, but never more than oneself. Take moments to listen to your inner voice and follow your gut — less so strategically, but more so in the spirit of returning to your true instincts to regain inspiration, bolstering confidence and creativity. – Andy Hale, Hale & Monico

To Delegate Rather Than Do Everything Myself

One thing I’ve had to work on improving over the years is my tendency to take on too much myself instead of delegating tasks effectively. Early on, I felt that being a strong leader meant being involved in every detail, but I realized that led to burnout. Leaders must recognize that delegating builds trust and develops a stronger team. – Kristin Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC

To Give Myself Grace in Moments of Failure

Nobody is harder on themselves than themselves. If we can extend grace and grow through negative experiences instead of going through them, then we allow a free-flowing posture of strength in our wins and our losses. Grace is received when we are capable of giving it first. – Josiah Corbin, Elite Multimedia Productions

To Focus on Fewer, Higher-Impact Opportunities

As a business leader, I’ve learned that “less is more.” Trying to seize every opportunity led to overextension and diluted focus. Concentrating on fewer, higher-impact initiatives yields better results than spreading resources thin. It’s crucial to say “no” to good opportunities for great ones. This allows for deeper engagement, clearer vision and more significant outcomes in areas that truly matter. – Dylan Fusco, Kamoti

To Better Communicate My Long-Term Vision

I’ve had to work on taking what’s in my brain and on my whiteboard and synthesizing that for the team’s benefit. Historically, I didn’t clue them in on my long-term vision. That created short-term focuses that sometimes moved in a different direction from my overall vision. Having it up on the wall helps everyone create with that direction in mind. – Sam Saideman, Innovo Management

The Rolling Stone Culture Council is an invitation-only community for Influencers, Innovators and Creatives. Do I qualify?

To Allow Meaningful Progress to Take Time

As a business leader, I’ve had to work on developing patience. I always want everything to move fast — results, growth, innovation — but I realized that sometimes meaningful progress takes time. However, I’m still working on this — as anyone who knows me will testify! – Francis Hellyer, tickadoo

To Let Other People’s Ideas Lead the Way

When you’re passionate, it’s easy to assume your way is the right way. But some of the biggest breakthroughs come from stepping back and letting others bring their own ideas to the table. I had to learn to actively listen, collaborate and sometimes shift course based on input. It wasn’t easy to loosen that grip, but it’s made me a better leader. – Red Rodriguez, GRAV

To Listen More and Talk Less

I’ve had to work on listening more and talking less. It’s important because real insights and solutions often come from others. Leaders who listen foster better collaboration and make more informed decisions. – Jessica Billingsley, Sona Capital

To Lead With a Softer, More Empathetic Hand

I have worked hard to evolve my leadership style as the macro conditions in which we work have changed dramatically. With a fully remote team, I no longer interpret hours spent at the office as an indicator of productivity. I lead with a softer hand and meet employees where they are, as opposed to a bit firmer approach when we were all in the office together. More empathy, less judgment. – Dan Giuliani, Volt Athletics

To Prioritize Overall Employee Wellness

For a long time, my focus was on productivity and business outcomes. But, over time, I’ve learned to improve and center my focus on not just my emotional and mental wellness but that of every employee as well. Our company is only as healthy as the people within it, physically and mentally, and the same is true for every other business leader and their teams. Financial outcomes improve with healthier, happier employees. – Jason Peterson, GoDigital Media Group

To Connect Better With Various Employee Personalities

I’ve improved my communication skills and how I connect with various personalities within our organization. I started studying the Enneagram and Myers-Briggs personality tests to enhance company culture and overall company efficiency. If leaders don’t take the time to focus on communication, it not only will impact culture, but it can also have negative consequences weeks, months and sometimes years later. – Matthew Forster, CMS Nashville

To Become a Coach and Mentor

When we were young, our academic and athletic training taught us that we needed to improve ourselves in terms of mental, physical, spiritual and other qualities. That is because we were competing against others and wanted to remain ahead. But as I’ve grown older and become more settled in my success, I’ve found that I’ve needed to transition to become more of a coach and mentor to others. – Zain Jaffer, Zain Jaffer Foundation