In the book Extreme Ownership, retired Navy SEALs Jocko Willink and Leif Babin assert that "there are no bad teams, only bad leaders." Drawing from their experience and wisdom shared by 10 highly successful entrepreneurs, here are proven tips for leading teams to success.
Related: 10 leadership lessons you'll learn on the job
1. Stay true to your vision.
Exceptional leaders master the balance between external awareness and internal conviction. Stay attuned to signals from customers, employees, and competitors, while steadfastly advancing your visionary goals—even if they're unpopular. The key is fluidly switching between these modes.
– Irene Chang Britt, former President of Pepperidge Farm and Board Director at Dunkin' Brands (Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins)
2. Communicate clearly and often.
Great leaders step back from daily decisions to articulate the organization's mission and vision, clearing obstacles for their teams. With tools like Salesforce, Google Analytics, and Slack delivering real-time data, alignment is crucial. Repetition is key—reiterate big ideas and mission statements, as busy teams need reminders to fully absorb them.
– Spencer Rascoff, CEO of Zillow, co-founder of Hotwire.com, and co-author of the New York Times bestseller Zillow Talk
3. Foster continuous self-improvement.
I've built a culture of ongoing personal and professional growth. Our leaders host daily motivational sessions, monthly development meetings, and annual goal-setting workshops. We share targeted YouTube videos, Entrepreneur articles, SUCCESS, and Lifehacker resources, plus send teams to conferences. When individuals grow, they elevate everything around them. My mission is to empower my team to pursue their aspirations.
– Tom Ferry, Founder and CEO of Tom Ferry International, ranked #1 in real estate by Swanepoel Power 200, and New York Times bestselling author of Life! Intentionally
4. Embrace humility.
Mistakes happen—own them, and share credit for successes. This builds a culture of truth and humility, not blame. Teams follow authentic, relatable leaders. Humility inspires; arrogance repels. Lead with bold humility.
– Mike Zeller, Founder of Elevate United; launched businesses across five sectors generating over $100 million
5. Check your ego at the door.
Ego trips up many, but great leaders manage theirs. Heed ancient warnings against pride. Focus on the mission: "It's not about you." As Reagan said, "There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit." Humble leaders attract top talent—even those better than themselves.
– Joe Kakaty, Co-founder and President of Poker Central
6. Surround yourself with strengths.
Great leaders hire exceptional people to complement their gaps. Dyslexic with ADHD, I'm no tech whiz—yet I lead five thriving companies by recruiting, nurturing top talent. Staff, not just customers, drive success. The more I value them, the higher our profits soar.
– John Hanna, Author of Path of the Rich and CEO of Fairchild Group
7. Ignite passion in your team.
Our team's project providing sustainable shoes to South African children sparked profound passion and purpose, reshaping our mindset. Masterful leaders activate hearts, turning routine tasks into meaningful contributions. When passion aligns with purpose, your people—and business—thrive.
– Allison Dunn, Chairman and CEO of Deliberate Directions, award-winning executive business coach
8. Commit to lifelong learning and adaptability.
I prioritize persistence, communication, and growth—for myself and others. It's a lifelong journey: embrace learning, confront fears, and shed stubbornness. Continuous evolution outlasts rigidity.
– Jay Georgi, Founder of Nadvia and operations/management/profit coach
9. Leverage your team's strengths.
I genuinely care for my team, ensuring clear communication of goals. By assessing individual strengths and weaknesses, I position them for success. This builds confidence, fueling collective wins. Great leaders maximize team potential.
– Jim Mathers, CEO of North American Energy Advisory, Inc.
10. Align everyone on vision and purpose.
Working with C-suite executives, I help them convey mission and "why" to P&L managers. Elevating awareness counters reactive cultures, enabling focused execution.
– Craig Lake, CEO of ENERGI and creator of Performance-Based Health Plans®
Related: 9 tips for becoming an intentional leader
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