Many leaders hit a career ceiling, not because they can’t lead a team, but because they’ve never learned to lead other leaders. At a certain point in your career or business, that’s exactly what you have to do. And if you don’t make that shift from leading teams to leading leaders, it can stall your growth as a leader and hold back your business. So what does this shift look like? Let’s dive in.
🧠 LEARN something.
Most leadership advice (courses, books, podcasts) is geared towards leading teams, and that’s fine when you’re leading doers or willing followers. But at some point, you either get promoted or hire leaders who report to you. That’s when things start to unravel. Too often, leaders take the same approach they used to successfully lead a team, and try to apply it when leading other leaders. But that doesn’t work. If you stick to the old leadership playbook, one of two things usually happens: either you’ll clash with strong, ambitious leaders who want autonomy, or you’ll end up with leaders who never actually lead. In both cases, you’re worse off. Either way, you end up stuck in the messy middle — where you’re technically not leading the team anymore, but it still feels like you’re doing the heavy lifting.
I could write a whole playbook on leading leaders, but underneath it all, the shift from leading a team to leading leaders comes down to one major mindset shift — you’re no longer in a leader–follower relationship. You’re in a leader–leader partnership. You can’t lead leaders like you led your team. Driven and capable leaders don’t want task lists. They want ownership. They want to shape outcomes, not be micromanaged. If you can’t let go of control, you’ll lose them. On the flip side, if you keep treating your leaders like doers, they’ll stay doers. They might add capacity, but you’ll still carry the leadership load. Neither scenario helps you grow your career or scale the business. The only way forward is to change your mindset and approach. Start thinking differently, leading differently, and make the real shift – from leading teams to leading leaders.
🤔 REFLECT on an idea.
“The more control you give up, the more control you gain.”
It might sound backwards, but it’s essential when you’re leading leaders. By letting go of direct control, you actually gain greater influence through others. The more space you create for leaders to step up, the more ownership, initiative, and alignment you get in return, and everyone benefits.
😊 SMILE a little.
Leading and growing leaders sounds great… until you realise they don’t want your to-do list, they also want your title – suddenly your inner insecurity monster comes out needing a snack🤣
✅ DO IT to get results.
Here’s one easy way to start leading like a partner, not a boss: use more intent-based leadership instead of permission-based leadership. You don’t want your leaders constantly waiting for permission, direction, or being told what to do.
Instead, invite them to do their own thinking and come to you with an intent statement (for example: “I intend to…”). Encourage them to tell you what they plan to do, how they’ll approach it, and the solution they’re proposing – while taking ownership for the outcome, not just the action. It’s a small word change that can make a big difference. If you genuinely give them the space and conditions to step up, make decisions, and own the results, they will.
🌱 How we can support you and your team.
We provide strategic leadership solutions tailored to align with your business strategy, size, and budget. We can support your with:
1:1 Leadership and Performance Coaching
Team Coaching, for high performing teams
1:1 Health & Lifestyle Coaching for busy stressed leaders.
Workshops, offsites and team development.
Or our flagship individual Leadership Coaching Programs.
Kia pai tō wiki
Kenny Bhosale
CEO & Founder, The Bridge Leaders
