Leading Leaders: Why This Topic Dominates My Website Searches (And Why I’m Not Shocked in the Least)

You know what doesn't surprise me? The fact that “leading leaders” is the most searched keyword phrase on my website—by a landslide. We’re talking 20 to 1. That’s not just a trend; it’s a flashing neon sign screaming, "Help! We need real leadership at the top!"

Let’s be honest. The world is packed with so-called “leaders” who got the title but not the skill set. They climb the corporate ladder, but when they get to the top, they suddenly realize—oh crap, now I have to actually lead other leaders. And that’s a whole different ballgame.

Why Leading Leaders Is a Whole Different Beast

Managing entry-level employees or mid-tier managers? That’s one thing. Leading leaders? That’s a masterclass in strategy, influence, and emotional intelligence. Leaders are opinionated (shocker). They have their own ideas, their own egos, and their own way of doing things. If you think you can “manage” them the same way you would a junior associate, you’re in for a rude awakening.

Here’s why so many people are searching for guidance on this:

1. No One Teaches This in Business School
   You get the fancy MBA, you ace corporate finance, but where’s the course on leading a team of high-powered, independent thinkers who don’t need micromanagement but also can’t just be left alone to do whatever they want?

2. Ego Management Is a Full-Time Job
   Leading leaders means balancing confidence with humility. You need to empower them, not compete with them. If you’re too controlling, they’ll resent you. Too hands-off? They’ll go rogue.

3. The Future of Your Organization Depends on It
   If you don’t develop strong leaders beneath you, you’re setting your company up for a massive talent vacuum. Strong leaders attract strong talent. Weak leaders? Well, you already know how that story ends.

How to Actually Lead Leaders (Without Losing Your Mind)

So, what’s the secret sauce? Here’s the playbook:

✅ Coach, Don’t Command – Your job isn’t to bark orders; it’s to guide, challenge, and develop your leaders so they can make the best decisions themselves.

✅ Create Psychological Safety – If your leaders don’t feel safe to speak up, challenge ideas, or admit mistakes, you’re fostering a culture of fear, not leadership.

✅ Set Clear Expectations, Then Get Out of Their Way – Micro-managing leaders? That’s a one-way ticket to turnover city. Give them the vision, provide the resources, and trust them to execute.

✅ Prioritize Adaptability Over Control – The best leaders today are the ones who can pivot and innovate. If you’re still leading with a rigid “my way or the highway” mentality, enjoy watching your best talent walk out the door.

The fact that “leading leaders” is dominating my search analytics just confirms what I already knew: we have a leadership crisis at the top. Companies are waking up to the reality that putting someone in charge doesn’t mean they know how to develop other leaders.

So if you’re reading this thinking, “Yep, that’s me. I need to get better at this.” — congrats, you’re already ahead of the pack. Now, let’s make sure you actually do something about it.