Original Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/10/07/11-surprising-things-every-entrepreneur-should-know-about-leadership/#3372be193dda

Entrepreneurs often fill many different roles when first starting a business, and “leader” is chief among them. While it may take years to develop your own style of leadership, you can glean a lot about the ins and outs and ups and downs of leading others by listening to those who have been doing it for some time.

To help you learn some of these lessons the easy way, we asked members of Forbes Coaches Council to share one surprising thing about leadership that they wish they’d known when starting their careers. In their insights below, you might find guidance you didn’t realize you needed.

1. People Want A Reason To Be Led By You

I look beyond the external corporate glamour, discover my personal purpose and anchor it as my “North Star.” The ability to articulate the profound reason why anyone should be led by you is imperative if you hope to inspire action and motivation. Those who are able to leave a legacy are masterful at animating a congruence between the head (how you do what you do) and heart (why you do what you do). – PoYee Poon Dorrian, Journey By PoYee | PoYee Poon Dorrian, LLC

2. True Leadership Requires The Highest Levels Of Integrity

We cannot, as leaders, expect our clients to radically and bravely change their lives if we haven’t done the work ourselves. People look up to those who have walked the path before them. Leadership requires that we go first in order to turn around and help others who are beginning their journey. – Courtney Baker, Courtney Baker LLC

3. There’s No Formula For Great Leadership

We can learn from graduate school, classic leadership books, other great leaders and leadership pundits, but we can’t simply replicate anything formulaically. Great leaders are authentically ourselves. Each of us is unique and must lead uniquely to lead well. This is so obvious, yet somehow overlooked or ignored at early stages in a career. – Joseph Zito, (X)form Coaching & Consulting

4. Building Authentic Rapport Is Crucial

Building authentic rapport is both king and queen of true leadership. Follow the Platinum Rule versus the Golden Rule, which means treat others the way they want to be treated rather than how you would want to be treated. Lastly, ask more questions; listen more and talk far less. – Shelley Smith, Premier Rapport

5. The Journey Never Ends For The Best Leaders

One surprising thing about leadership I wish I’d known when starting my career is that the best leaders never arrive at the end of their leadership journey. I held the incorrect view that the best leaders had it all figured out and were always executing great leadership. This is simply not true, as the best leaders continually learn and evolve. I lost precious growth opportunities because of this false belief. – John O’Grady, O’Grady Leadership Consulting Services

6. You Don’t Need To Have All The Answers

Leadership doesn’t mean you need to have all of the answers and solutions to problems. It means you know how to get the answers and surround yourself with people who either have the answers or can help you get them. – Dr. Venessa Marie Perry, Health Resources Solutions, LLC

7. There’s A Difference Between Leading And Being A Leader

The former connotes action as a verb, and, to a certain degree, we are all leading. The latter noun is a social construct, which few of us feel we fit into, so we don’t apply for jobs or positions with that title. If I’ve learned anything, and often the hard way, every single one of us is capable of leading and creating our own leader within. – Kyla Mitsunaga, WITH Warriors LLC

8. ‘Social Capital’ Is Essential For Maximum Success

As you ascend the leadership ranks, you’ll need mentors, advisers and trusted confidants to help you through the tough times. Cultivate a robust network of authentic, mutually supportive relationships. – Gerry Valentine, Gerry Valentine

9. Self-Care Must Remain A Priority

One thing I wish I would have known before diving into my career is that self-care must remain a priority! I ended up placing my career before my health, which began to impact my performance. The best leaders are stress-free leaders. When you take care of yourself first and maintain a daily self-care regimen, you will be at your best and able to better serve others. – Janette Braverman, Leaders Leaving Legacies, LLC

10. Leadership Is About The People You Lead

Leadership is never about you. It’s about the people you are leading. Asking myself better questions has been tremendously powerful. How can I serve my team today? What do they need from me to win? How can I be a catalyst to their success? When we start to think along those lines, the game changes for everyone. – Jeremiah Desmarais, Advisorist.com

11. It’s About Being A Good Facilitator

It’s not about being the smartest or most capable; it’s about being a really good facilitator. In that way, it’s less about carrying all the weight on your own shoulders and more about how to support and guide your team to perform at their best. This involves a different set of skills than some leaders might initially think, such as creating a safe space, asking questions and listening. – Glenn Taylor, Skybound Coaching & Training