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Interview Patty

The Hard Truth About Good Leadership

Everyone wants to be “the leader” and put themselves first.


If you think back to your childhood and the unique dynamic of playground politics, you’ll probably remember everyone jockeying to be “the leader.” I know that in my experience, everyone always wanted to be in charge and tell the others what to do.


This desire to be “in charge” is the modern manifestation of a very ancient aspect of the human mind. We all want to ensure that we are fed first, that our families are safe, and that we survive no matter what.

Unfortunately, this primal perspective has endured and wormed its way into the modern understanding of leadership.

It can often feel like nothing has changed from our days on the playground. Everyone wants to be “the leader” and put themselves first.


This, however, isn’t leadership; it’s mere selfishness. True leadership requires sacrifice, humility, and a commitment to a higher cause. 


I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be a leader. No matter where you look today, authentic leadership seems to be in short supply. 

There are a lot of “bosses” out there, to be sure. But what I struggle to see, in business, politics, and life, are true leaders who bring us together, inspire us to achieve great things, and bring out the best in us. 


The hard, unforgiving truth is that leadership requires sacrifice. It’s painful, costly, and often thankless. I think it’s time that we as a society remind ourselves of what leadership is all about.

You’re the first to sacrifice and the last to be rewarded

First and foremost, it’s important to establish the difference between leadership and ownership. While they’re often grouped, especially in entrepreneurship, they’re starkly different.


Ownership implies that there is a right to return on efforts and investment, plain and simple. As an owner or founder, you have a moral right to the fruits of a team’s labor. However, being an owner doesn’t mean you’re a leader. 


Leadership doesn’t come from a title, cap table, or expectation; it comes from within. 


Leadership is about doing what it takes to drive a team towards a greater goal, whether it be a social mission or desire to maximize the return for the company. 


Real leaders put these goals above all else and are the first to sacrifice when times get tough. Of course, this is often easier said than done. 


I’ve had to do this many times throughout my career. When cash gets low or the organization needed to invest in something for the greater good, my co-founder and I have been the first to forego our salaries to make it happen. 


The logic behind this is simple: leaders eat last.

Source: Forbes

​Patty Block, President and Founder of The Block Group, established her company to advocate for women-owned businesses, helping them position their companies for strategic growth. From improving cash flow…. ​to increasing staff productivity…. ​to scaling for growth, these periods of transition — and so many more — provide both challenges and opportunities. Managed effectively, change can become a productive force for growth. The Block Group harnesses that potential​, turning roadblocks into building blocks for women-owned businesses​.

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