Space to Thrive: 5 Powerful Practices for Effective Startup Leadership

In partnership with

Ah, the life of an entrepreneur.

Constant hustle, endless to-do lists, and the perpetual feeling that if you're not moving at the speed of light, you're falling behind.

But what if I told you that the secret sauce to leveling up your leadership game is... doing less? Yup.

It's time to pump the brakes and create some space, baby.

I recently had a chat with Sean McCool, a leadership coach who's made it his mission to help leaders get their act together. And let me tell you, this guy's got some unconventional wisdom that'll make you rethink your entire approach to leadership.

Sean's journey to becoming a leadership guru wasn't exactly a straight shot. He did a brief stint in the military, crushed it in copywriting, and even considered becoming an actor. Talk about a diverse resume.

But all these experiences led him to his true calling: helping leaders lead themselves better.

Now, let's dive into Sean's space-creating wisdom:

#1: Give Your Team Room to Screw Up (Within Reason)

Sean's first piece of advice? Let your team fail. I know, I know, it sounds counterintuitive. But hear the man out. He's not suggesting you let your team run the company into the ground. It's more like giving them a safety net to try new things without fear of total disaster. Think of it as a controlled burn rather than a wildfire.

#2: Master the Art of Awkward Silences

Next up, Sean suggests embracing those uncomfortable pauses in conversations. You know, those moments when you're itching to fill the silence with nervous chatter? Yeah, don't do that. Instead, channel your inner zen master and just... be. Let your team members marinate in their thoughts. Who knows? They might just cook up some brilliant ideas if you give them a moment to think.

#3: Embrace Your Inner Porch-Sitting Grandpa

Sean's morning routine sounds like something out of a retirement brochure, but don't knock it 'til you've tried it. Picture this: You're sitting on your porch, sipping coffee, watching the world wake up. No phone, no book, just you and your thoughts. It's during these moments of "starting slow" that Sean says the best ideas bubble up. So channel your inner old man and get to porch-sitting.

#4: Ditch the Spreadsheets (Sometimes)

Here's a fun fact: Sean's not big on measurements. In fact, he once had a friend tell him, "Sean, what you do doesn't show up on a spreadsheet."

And you know what? That's okay. Not everything in leadership can be quantified.

Sometimes, the most valuable things are the ones you can't measure. So give yourself permission to do things that don't have an immediate ROI.

#5: Embrace Your Unique Brand of Weird

Sean's rebranding himself as "Oso McCool." Is it a bit cheesy? Sure. Is it memorable? Absolutely. The point is, don't be afraid to let your personality shine through in your leadership. If you want to rebrand yourself with a dad joke, go for it. Just maybe wait until your actual dad isn't around to see it.

Now, you might be thinking, "This all sounds great, but I don't have time for all this space-creating nonsense!"

Well, buckle up, buttercup, because here's the truth: You don't have time not to do it. Creating space isn't about twiddling your thumbs.

It's about making room for growth, innovation, and better decision-making. It's about leading with intention rather than just reacting to whatever dumpster fire is currently ablaze.

Sean's approach to leadership isn't about following a rigid set of rules or trying to fit yourself into some corporate mold. It's about understanding yourself, embracing your quirks, and using that self-awareness to become a better leader. It's about recognizing that sometimes, the best thing you can do for your team (and yourself) is to slow down and create some space.

So, the next time you find yourself caught in the entrepreneurial whirlwind, take a page out of Sean's book. Sit on your porch, embrace the awkward silences, and give yourself permission to do things that don't show up on a spreadsheet. Your team (and your sanity) will thank you.

And hey, if you're intrigued by Sean's unique brand of leadership wisdom, you can find out more about working with him at osomccool.com.

Yes, that's his actual website. No, I'm not making this up.

Who knows? Maybe working with the "Oso McCool" Sean McCool is exactly what your leadership style needs.

Remember, in the world of startup leadership, sometimes the most radical thing you can do is create a little space. So go forth, embrace the pause, and lead on, you magnificent space-creating unicorn.

Have you met my friend Vickie Poole, the hypnotherapist with a twist? She's whipping up a storm with her new "Crave Less Dance More" experience!

Imagine kicking sugar to the curb while shaking your hips in a 14-day belly dance extravaganza. No dance skills? No problem! Vickie's got you covered with daily videos, live Zoom sessions, and a tribe of fierce women cheering you on.

Early birds get a free hip skirt and extra goodies. At just $187, it's a steal!

Ready to shimmy your way to confidence? Check it out before spots vanish!

Are oil & gas royalties right for you?

Klondike Royalties invites you to own a stake in the North Block of Alaska's Kitchen Lights Unit, with an estimated 300 million barrels of recoverable reserves. Our royalty-based model offers potential for steady returns without the complexities of direct asset ownership.

Show Me More