When Leadership is Put to the Test

I’m not going to sugarcoat it—I’m feeling pretty rough right now. It’s not one of the high-profile viruses making headlines, but whatever this is, it’s kicking my butt. I’ve been sidelined, stuck at home, and forced to slow down. My energy is low, my focus is fuzzy, and my to-do list is growing by the minute. But as I’ve been lying here, I’ve had time to reflect on something important: being sick is a real test of leadership.

Here’s why I’m sharing this.

Leadership isn’t just about what you do when you’re in the room, calling the shots, or steering the ship. It’s not about being the loudest voice in the meeting or the one who always has the answers. The real measure of leadership is how well your team functions when you’re not there. It’s about what happens when you step back, even unexpectedly, and let others take the reins. And let me tell you, watching my team step up and handle everything like absolute pros has been a proud reminder of what true leadership is all about.

Over the past few days, I’ve been observing from the sidelines (okay, mostly from my couch), and I’ve seen my team operate with confidence, collaboration, and competence. They’ve tackled challenges, made decisions, and kept everything running smoothly—without missing a beat. Emails are being answered, projects are moving forward, and clients are being taken care of. It’s been a powerful testament to the trust, preparation, and empowerment that we’ve built together over time.

This experience has reinforced a few key lessons for me:

1. Trust is the foundation of great leadership.
   If you’ve hired the right people and given them the tools they need to succeed, you should be able to trust them to handle things in your absence. Micromanaging doesn’t build a strong team—trust does. When you trust your team, they feel valued and empowered to take ownership of their work. And when they take ownership, they perform at their best.

2. Preparation is key.
   A team that can operate seamlessly without you is a team that’s been set up for success. That means clear processes, open communication, and a shared understanding of goals and priorities. It’s not enough to hope your team will figure things out when you’re not around. You have to invest time in training, documenting workflows, and fostering a culture of collaboration. When you do, your team will be ready for anything—even your unexpected absence.

3. Empowerment leads to growth.
   When you give your team the freedom to make decisions and take ownership, they rise to the occasion. Not only does this make your organization stronger, but it also helps individuals grow and develop their own leadership skills. Empowerment isn’t about abandoning responsibility—it’s about creating an environment where people feel confident to step up and lead when needed.

4. Leadership is about legacy.
   The true mark of a leader isn’t what they accomplish personally, but what they enable others to achieve. When you build a team that can thrive without you, you’re creating a legacy that extends far beyond your own contributions. It’s a humbling and rewarding realization.

Moments like these make me incredibly grateful for the team I’ve built. They’ve shown me that leadership isn’t about being the hero—it’s about creating an environment where others can thrive, even when you’re not in the spotlight. It’s about fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and resilience. And it’s about knowing that your team has your back, just as much as you have theirs.

So, I’ll leave you with this question: How does your team handle things when you’re out? If the answer isn’t “flawlessly,” it might be time to reflect on how you can build trust, prepare your team, and empower them to succeed—no matter what challenges come their way.

Being sick has been tough, but it’s also been a valuable reminder of what truly matters in leadership. It’s shown me that the best leaders aren’t the ones who do everything themselves, but the ones who create systems and cultures that allow others to shine. And for that, I’m grateful.

As I slowly start to recover, I’m reminded that leadership is a journey, not a destination. It’s about continuous learning, growth, and adaptation. And sometimes, it’s about stepping back and letting others lead—because that’s when you see the true impact of your work.

Here’s to building teams that can weather any storm, to leaders who empower others, and to the moments that remind us why we do what we do. Even from the couch, I’m proud of what we’ve built—and excited to see where we go from here.