If you’re running a business right now — whether you’ve got 2 people in your team or 200 — you’re already a Managing Director in everything but name.
But… are you actually leading like one?
It’s something I talk about a lot with clients, because honestly?
A lot of business owners don’t lead like MDs.
They’re still acting like “Chief Firefighter” or “Senior Task-Juggler”…
…and it’s absolutely exhausting!
So, what does it really mean to lead like an MD?
Well – in my eyes, here’s what it’s not:
❌ Doing every little thing yourself because “no one else can do it properly.”
❌ Lurching from one crisis to another all day, every day.
❌ Being so buried in client work, invoicing, admin and chaos that there’s no time left to actually think.
Leading like an MD means stepping into a different version of yourself — one that’s strategic, future-focused, and building a business that can thrive without you micromanaging every move.
It means:
✅ Setting the vision — and communicating it properly, not just keeping it in your own head.
✅ Building a team and systems that deliver, even when you’re not in the room.
✅ Making decisions based on long-term wins, not just short-term fires.
✅ Protecting your time fiercely so you can actually lead — not just “keep things afloat.”
A Quick Story…
One of my clients said something the other day that really stuck with me.
She said:
“I finally realised I wasn’t growing a business… I was building myself a very stressful job.”
It was a lightbulb moment for her — and it changed everything.
✅ She stopped getting involved in every minor decision.
✅ She handed over control of some key tasks (properly, not half-heartedly).
✅ She started thinking 12 months ahead, not 12 hours ahead.
Fast forward a few months — her turnover is up, her stress levels are down, and she’s finally got a proper holiday booked without feeling like the business will fall apart without her.
Some Questions for You
🔹 Are you truly leading your business — or just running around inside it?
🔹 If you took two weeks off tomorrow, what would happen?
🔹 Where do you need to step up — and where do you need to let go?
🔹 Are you prioritising your most important role – that of MD – rather than doing every job?
No judgement. Just honest reflection. (Trust me, I’ve been there too.)
Here’s the Challenge:
Start thinking, acting, and protecting your time like the MD your business needs you to be.
Because the business you want doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from leading better.
If you’d like a sounding board, a plan, or just an honest conversation about where you’re at versus where you could be, I’m offering a complimentary 45-minute strategy session.
No hard sell, no pressure, just some time to reflect objectively and share strategies that have worked for others in their scale-up journey — just a proper conversation.
