As a business owner, whether you’re running a solo operation, hiring your first employee, or managing an established team, the lessons from Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek are invaluable.
This book isn’t just about leadership in large corporations - it offers key insights into building trust, building a positive culture, and leading with empathy, all of which are crucial for small businesses.
In this blog, we’ll touch on some of what we felt were the 5 core principles from the must-read for any business owner - Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek, and how they can help you lead effectively, regardless of the size or stage of your business.
1. You’re still a leader…even without a team
One of the key takeaways from Sinek’s book is that leadership is not defined by the size of your team but by your mindset and actions. As a solo business owner or a start-up, you might not yet have employees, but you are still a leader - of your business, your vision, and your client relationships.
Leadership is about how you carry yourself and your business, even when it’s just you… your decisions, work ethic, and how you engage with clients or partners, all reflect your leadership.
When you work on developing and building your leadership mindset from day one you start your business by holding yourself accountable, creating systems, and developing a clear vision for your business. So, if the time comes when you need to hire, you’ll already have the leadership foundation in place.
2. Building a circle of trust
For business owners with no employees or just starting out, Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek emphasises the importance of trust in building successful organisations. Before you even hire your first employee, focus on building trust with your network - clients, suppliers, and partners. The more you nurture these relationships, the easier it will be to build upon that strong culture when your business grows.
A further “Circle of Safety” concept Sinek highlights in the book is focused on helping you identify how you should work with those that make you feel valued, respected and secure.
3. Create a safe space
When the time comes for you to hire your first employee, Sinek’s message about creating a "Circle of Safety" is crucial. Your role as a leader is to ensure that your new hire feels safe and supported.
Small business owners can often be so focused on performance that they forget the importance of empathy and well-being. But the truth is, a supported employee is a productive employee. The trust you build with your first employee will set the tone for your entire company culture. They will mirror your actions and attitudes, so it’s important to lead with empathy and purpose from the start.
When it comes to onboarding, it is important to do dedicate time, resources and care. Set clear expectations, provide ongoing feedback, and create an environment where they feel comfortable sharing ideas or concerns. Building a relationship based on trust and respect will pay off in loyalty and performance.
4. Growing Your Team
If you already have an established team, Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek offers profound lessons on maintaining a people-first approach. Sinek stresses the importance of empathy, and this becomes even more important as your team grows. Research shows that empathetic leaders build more resilient and innovative teams, and small business owners can use this to their advantage by keeping a close, personal connection with each employee.
Empathy doesn’t just mean understanding your employees’ challenges; it’s about creating an environment where they feel safe to take risks, share ideas, and grow. This leads to higher engagement, creativity, and productivity.
Regular check-ins with your team, not just about their tasks, but about their well-being and job satisfaction is a great way to focus on a people-first approach. Create open channels for communication and encourage feedback.
A small business can thrive when employees feel heard and valued.
5. Purpose over profit
No matter what stage your business is in, Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek emphasises that great leadership is about focusing on purpose rather than just profit. For small business owners, especially in the early days, the temptation to chase profit at the expense of culture can be high.
But Sinek’s book teaches us that sustainable success comes from having a clear purpose and aligning your team and business decisions around that purpose.
When you lead with purpose, your employees, partners, and clients will feel more connected to your business. This sense of belonging creates loyalty, higher performance, and ultimately, better results.
When it comes to purpose over profit, it is essential to dedicate the time to define the “why” behind your business. Communicate this purpose not only to your team but also to your clients and partners.
When people believe in what you’re doing, they will support you through challenges and contribute to your success.
Leadership isn’t a title - it’s a behaviour
Whether you’re running a one-person show or managing a growing team, this book reminds us that leadership is about how we treat those around us. It’s about trust, showing empathy, and creating a sense of safety. These are not just lessons for CEOs of large corporations - they’re invaluable insights for small business owners who want to build lasting, successful companies with team members that share our passion!
Need help shaping your leadership mindset or building a culture of trust in your business? We’re here to support small business owners like you in leading with purpose and growing with confidence.
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