What Real Leadership Looks Like Beyond the Generic Advice

I was 24 when my boss gave me a project I had absolutely no idea how to do. Design an ADA-compliant lift gate through an active conveyor system so a wheelchair user could access the break room without wheeling half a mile around the facility. I’d been to engineering school, sure, but this was something else entirely.

He didn’t give me the answer. But he did mentor me through it. He taught me through the PLCs, the safety protocols, and even gave me some hints about pneumatic cylinders and safety mats. When it was all done and in use, I felt like a toddler who just completed a hard puzzle. So proud to have done it myself. We even filed a patent for this.

Listen to the Story

I talked about this on my podcast with Tim Seims. You can watch it below, or click here to watch on Youtube.

Range Over Delegation

This boss didn’t delegate tasks to me although he could have. He gave me range, instead. As an experienced leader, he probably recognized latent talent and was testing his hypothesis.

I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately, especially as I watch LinkedIn fill up with generic leadership advice that Tim and I call “LinkedIn Oatmeal.”

You know what I mean:

• “Great leaders inspire!”

• “Always lead with empathy!”

• Communication is key!”

But How?

Cool. But HOW? What does that actually look like when you’re managing a sales team in building products? When someone’s performance is declining? When you have to choose between the person who plays politics well and the person who is quiet, but actually moves the needle?

Sometimes professional kindness and genuine mentorship make all the difference in developing your team.

Real Stories

In this episode, Tim and I get into the messy, human, sometimes-we-screwed-up-too version of leadership, but also the signposts of a great leader that you don’t often come across on this platform.

We talked about:

• The delivery truck Tim wrecked at 16

• Why I got a bonus for helping the janitor with her kids’ school forms

• The hard conversation that saved my career when I was struggling

• The red flags we’ve both seen destroy teams, and more

Understanding what really matters in sales leadership goes beyond surface-level advice.

Final Thoughts

50+ years of combined experience. No LinkedIn oatmeal. If you’re leading a team, aspiring to leadership, or just tired of generic advice that doesn’t translate to our industry, this one’s for you.

Real leadership isn’t about catchy phrases. It’s about giving people range, having hard conversations, and showing up in the moments that matter.