Starting a business is one of the biggest leadership challenges you’ll ever face. Many executives assume their corporate leadership experience will naturally translate into entrepreneurship, but leading a company requires a different kind of leadership—starting with leading yourself.
Dr. John C. Maxwell, widely recognised as a global authority on leadership, once said:
“The hardest person to lead is always yourself.”
And he’s not alone in this belief. Jim Collins (Good to Great), Stephen R. Covey (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People), and Marshall Goldsmith (What Got You Here Won’t Get You There) all emphasize the importance of self-discipline, adaptability, and personal growth in leadership.
Before you build a team, land your first clients, or scale a business, you need to develop the habits, mindset, and resilience to lead yourself effectively.
As a Founding Partner of the Maxwell Leadership Team, I’ve worked with executives making the shift to business ownership, and one thing is clear: those who invest in their own self-leadership first make the transition far more successfully. Here’s how you can do the same.
1. Develop a Clear Vision—Beyond Just Business Goals
Leadership expert Jim Collins explains in Good to Great that the best leaders start by defining their purpose and values before setting business goals. If you don’t know where you’re going personally, how can you lead a business in the right direction?
How to Define Your Leadership Vision:
✅ Clarify your ‘why’ – Why do you want to run a business? Financial freedom, impact, flexibility?
✅ Identify your core values – What principles will guide your leadership and decision-making?
✅ Create a personal mission statement – Define what success means to you beyond revenue targets.
A strong personal vision acts as a compass, keeping you focused when challenges arise.
2. Build Self-Discipline and Resilience
In corporate life, external structures (bosses, KPIs, and deadlines) create discipline. As a business owner, you are responsible for keeping yourself accountable.
Stephen R. Covey, in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, stresses that the most successful leaders prioritise what’s important over what’s urgent. This means avoiding distractions and staying committed to your long-term vision, even when immediate pressures arise.
Practical Steps to Improve Self-Discipline:
✅ Time-blocking: Set fixed hours for deep work, planning, and growth.
✅ Accountability partners: Join mastermind groups or hire a mentor.
✅ Morning routines: Start each day with habits that reinforce focus and clarity.
The best leaders don’t rely on motivation—they rely on systems and habits.
3. Shift from Managing to Leading with Influence
In a corporate role, your title gives you authority. But in business, titles don’t matter—only influence does.
Maxwell’s 5 Levels of Leadership and Marshall Goldsmith’s What Got You Here Won’t Get You There both highlight that entrepreneurs must earn leadership through impact, not position.
Key Differences Between Corporate and Entrepreneurial Leadership:
🔹 Corporate: Leadership is often hierarchical, with clear reporting lines.
🔹 Entrepreneurship: Leadership is about persuasion—clients, investors, and employees follow based on trust.
To lead effectively in business:
✅ Develop a strong personal brand – Your reputation becomes your authority.
✅ Master communication skills – Influence is built through clear and compelling messaging.
✅ Focus on relationships, not just results – People do business with those they trust.
4. Strengthen Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Daniel Goleman, the psychologist behind Emotional Intelligence, found that 90% of top-performing leaders have high EQ.
As an entrepreneur, self-awareness, emotional control, and resilience are critical. The highs and lows of business ownership can be extreme, and those who can’t manage their emotions struggle to make rational decisions under pressure.
Ways to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence:
✅ Practice self-reflection: Journal daily to assess your emotions and responses.
✅ Develop stress management techniques: Exercise, mindfulness, or structured breathing exercises.
✅ Seek feedback: Ask mentors or peers to help you identify blind spots.
Business ownership is a test of your ability to stay calm, focused, and adaptable—no matter what comes your way.
5. Surround Yourself with the Right People
John Maxwell often says:
“Your success is determined by those closest to you.”
Entrepreneurs don’t have the support structures that corporate roles provide—no HR department, no leadership teams. That’s why building the right network is crucial.
Who You Need in Your Inner Circle:
✅ Mentors and coaches – Learn from those who have built successful businesses.
✅ A peer group of entrepreneurs – Join a mastermind or industry group.
✅ A personal support system – Ensure your family and close relationships align with your vision.
Jim Rohn famously said:
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
Choose wisely.
Final Thoughts: The Best Entrepreneurs Lead Themselves First
If you’re transitioning from corporate leadership to running your own business, your greatest challenge isn’t financial—it’s personal.
✅ Clarify your vision and values.
✅ Build discipline and resilience.
✅ Shift from positional power to true influence.
✅ Strengthen emotional intelligence to handle business pressures.
✅ Surround yourself with the right people.
Leadership doesn’t start when you hire your first employee or land your first client. It starts with how you lead yourself today.
As a Founding Partner of the Maxwell Leadership Team, I help executives develop the leadership skills needed to transition into business ownership successfully. If you want to lead a thriving business, let’s start by mastering self-leadership.
Get in touch to book a leadership consultation today.