These are ten things I wish I knew earlier about leadership – I hope they’ll be helpful to anyone starting out in a leadership position:
1. Stay Curious
Curiosity is one of the most important traits a leader in marketing can have, because once it is lost, you risk becoming disconnected from your team, your work, and the cultural and technological trends that shape the industry. I try to stay engaged with the work as it’s happening, not just at the final approval stage, asking questions that spark genuine dialogue and encourage people to think differently. I also keep a close eye on the world outside our walls, from new tools to shifts in consumer behaviour, because you can’t give meaningful feedback if you’re not aware of the context in which your team is operating. For me, curiosity isn’t just about quality control; it’s about keeping myself and the work relevant.
2. Find Your Own Way to Connect
For me, connection comes through humour. In a high-pressure, fast-moving environment, being able to share a laugh can make me more approachable and encourage people to share their honest perspectives. It also helps keep the team grounded when the pace and the pressure are high. You don’t have to be funny to lead well, but you do need to find your own way to connect with people on a human level.
3. Lead with Empathy
You can’t truly lead if you can’t see things from your team’s perspective, even when you disagree with their conclusions. For me, empathy is about understanding what shaped someone’s thinking, because that’s the only way to reach a better outcome together. It fosters trust, builds stronger relationships, and creates a culture where people feel supported rather than directed. And while empathy doesn’t mean lowering the bar, it does mean meeting people where they are as a starting point and then from there helping get them where you need them to be.
4. Know the Difference Between Management and Leadership
Management ensures tasks get completed and systems run smoothly. Management is part of leadership but it makes up just a small piece of the broader puzzle. Leadership is about inspiring people to exceed what they thought possible—being part coach, part mentor, part visionary.
5. Start from Trust
I’ve always believed it’s better to start from a place of trust, setting clear expectations and explaining the bigger picture before stepping back to let people deliver. If something doesn’t go as planned, we talk about it, learn from it, and adjust for next time. That also means creating space for others to lead. Early in my career, I thought I needed to drive every meeting, fill the gaps in conversation, and push the agenda forward, but I learned that when I step back and let others take the lead, I often get better thinking and stronger outcomes.
6. Share the Credit, Own the Setbacks
Trust and loyalty grow when people see you leading by example. If a project fails, as the leader of the team, you need to own that. If it succeeds, the credit belongs to the whole team. That also means making sure people understand the vision and the “why” behind the work from the very beginning, because you can’t expect buy-in if you haven’t been transparent about the direction you’re taking.
7. Recognize Wins in Every Form
Recognition matters more than most leaders realize. I make a point of celebrating great work one-on-one, so people know I genuinely see and value their contributions, and also in front of the wider team or clients, so the whole group can share in the success. Public recognition doesn’t just make the person feel seen; it builds morale across the team because it’s motivating to see the great work your peers are doing and feel proud to be part of a winning group. Even something as simple as PRAXIS’ weekly “high five” recognition program builds pride, connection, and momentum, and reminds people that their work doesn’t go unnoticed.
8. Balance Structure with Creativity
In marketing, you need enough systems and processes to keep the work moving (especially in PRAXIS’ four-day week environment where efficiency is critical), but you can’t let structure become so rigid that it stifles creativity. I’m constantly looking for ways to make the two work in harmony so we can deliver strong, strategic work without losing the space for fresh ideas.
9. Take Your Time When You Need To
Earlier in my career, I felt pressure to respond to every challenge the moment it was raised. Now I know the value of stepping back, thinking it through, and sometimes getting other perspectives before responding. Some of my best solutions have come while out for a walk or enjoying a break at the cottage, when I’ve given ideas room to breathe.
10. Don’t Be Afraid to Be Vulnerable
There’s a myth that leaders should never show vulnerability, but I’ve found the opposite to be true. Admitting when I don’t have the answer, or when I need support, makes me more relatable and opens the door to better ideas from the team. It also signals that leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about building trust and creating an environment where everyone can contribute their best thinking.
Final Thought
If there’s one thing my own journey has taught me, it’s that leadership doesn’t have to be a solitary experience. Early on, I imagined it as a role where the pressure sat squarely on my shoulders and the answers had to come from me. In reality, the most rewarding moments have come from leading alongside a strong, trusted team, not above them. A little self-doubt (or even imposter syndrome) along the way is normal, even healthy, because it keeps you reflective and open to other perspectives. When you stay curious, lead with empathy, build trust, share credit, and make space for creativity, you create an environment where people feel empowered to bring their best ideas forward. And when that happens, the role of a leader becomes less about carrying the weight alone and more about helping the whole team carry it together — which is exactly how great work, and great cultures, are built.