Leaders are trying to solve problems with the wrong set of skills.

A founder sets an ambitious goal. Creates the strategy and determines the tactics to hit the deadline.

The team knows it’s unrealistic, but nobody speaks up. They push forward, miss the target, and everyone loses.

The founder feels frustrated and disappointed. The team feels dejected and burnt out.

So what does the founder do? Refine the strategy. Adjust the timeline. Change some tactics. Set new KPIs.

But here’s what’s missing: The problem isn’t the plan. It’s the environment they’ve created.

No amount of strategic brilliance will work if your team can’t speak honestly with you.

The real leadership work isn’t building better systems. Leadership is about building the self-awareness to recognize when fear is blinding you, the vulnerability to ask what you might be missing, and the communication skills to hear feedback without getting defensive.

The skill set that most leaders develop involves cognitive skills: strategy, systems & operations.

The skill set that takes leadership to the next level involves character skills: self-awareness, vulnerability & communication.

Both matter. But the best strategy will still fail if your team can’t actually deliver on it.

Leaders worth following create environments where disagreement feels safe and honesty feels normal.