I remember the day clearly. I was sitting in my small office – really just a corner of my office room – surrounded by project updates, resumes for interviews, and a to-do list that kept getting longer. As a new business owner with a small startup, I felt responsible for everything. I thought I needed to have all the answers. After all, it was my company, right?

I was so wrong.

It took me too long to realize that this way of thinking wasn’t just holding me back – it was stopping my small but talented team from reaching their full potential. Let me tell you how I, as a first-time founder, learned to empower my core team, and how you can do it too.

The Big Realization

It happened during an important meeting about our new project kick-off. I was doing what I usually did – telling everyone my plans and giving out tasks like I had everything figured out. That’s when Sushmita, one of our quiet but smart team members, spoke up and said, “Actually, I think there might be a better way to do this.”

The room went silent. I was surprised and, to be honest, a bit defensive. After all, this was my company, my idea. But as Sushmita explained her thoughts, I had my first big “aha!” moment as a business owner. She had come up with a brilliant solution that I, even with all my planning, had completely missed.

That meeting changed everything. I realized that by trying to be the one with all the answers, I was actually holding back the creativity and potential of the people I had hired. I knew I had to change if we were going to succeed.

Learning to Let Go

Over the next few months, big changes happened – for me, for my team, and for how we ran the business. I started small, asking team members what they thought about decisions I would have made on my own before.

At first, it felt strange and scary. I worried they might think less of me, their leader and the person behind the company, for not knowing everything. But you know what? The opposite happened. The more I asked for ideas and worked together with the team, the more they respected and engaged with the work.

I remember one project clearly – we were trying to create a pitch for possible investors and were having a hard time. Instead of trying to figure it out all by myself, thinking that as the founder I should have all the answers, I called a team meeting to brainstorm ideas. The energy in that room was amazing. Ideas were flowing, people were building on each other’s thoughts, and by the end of the day, we had a pitch that eventually got us the funding we needed.

This experience taught me a crucial lesson as a business owner: not doing everything yourself is what makes a company grow and succeed. By stepping back and letting my team shine, we were achieving things I never could have managed on my own, no matter how good my initial idea was.

The Power of Trust and Keeping Your Word

I learned that trust is the foundation of empowerment, especially in a startup where everyone needs to do multiple jobs and face new challenges. It’s easy to say you trust your team, but actually showing that trust? That’s much harder, especially when every decision can make or break your new company.

I started giving team members more important responsibilities, not just simple tasks. This wasn’t always easy. There were mistakes, of course. Like the time Amit tried a new marketing strategy that didn’t work out. In the past, I might have been angry about this ‘failure’, thinking that as the founder, I needed to control everything. Instead, we treated it as a chance to learn.

Here’s the important part: I had promised my team that I would support their ideas and not punish honest mistakes. Keeping that promise – honoring my word – was crucial. It showed the team that they could trust me, just as I was trusting them. This created a foundation of respect that’s essential in a startup.

The effect on the team was amazing. People started taking more initiative, thinking creatively, and most importantly, they weren’t afraid to make mistakes. This culture of trust and learning became our biggest strength in the competitive startup world.

The Importance of Hiring the A-Players

As our team grew, I realized another critical factor in our success: the quality of our team members. Hiring the A-players and having the strategies for hiring A-players is important. These are individuals who not only have the skills but also the drive, creativity, and ability to work well with others – qualities that shine in an empowered environment.

I made it a priority to look for these top performers, both within our existing team and when bringing in new talent. These were people who could take an idea and run with it, who brought energy and fresh thinking to every project.

One of the hardest lessons for me was learning to let these talented people truly shine. During a product development cycle, I was sure we needed to go in one direction. My team respectfully disagreed and suggested a different approach.

It took all my self-control to step back and say, “Okay, let’s try it your way.” The result? A product that exceeded all our expectations and became one of our best sellers. It was a humbling experience, but it taught me the true value of group wisdom and the power of empowering top talent.

The Ripple Effect

As our team dynamics changed, something magical started happening. The energy in the office shifted. People were more engaged, more passionate about their work. We started achieving targets we’d previously thought impossible.

But it wasn’t just about the numbers. I saw people growing, taking on challenges they would have avoided before. Team members who had once been quiet in meetings were now confidently presenting innovative ideas.

This empowerment approach had created a ripple effect, touching every aspect of our work. We were no longer just a small startup; we had become a powerhouse of creativity and teamwork.

Challenges Along the Way

Now, I don’t want to paint too rosy a picture. This journey had its fair share of problems. There were times when the lack of a clear chain of command led to confusion. We had to work hard on communication, making sure everyone understood our goals and expectations.

There were also team members who struggled with this new approach. Some were uncomfortable with the added responsibility, while others tried to take advantage of the freedom. It took time, patience, and sometimes difficult conversations to get everyone on board.

The Results Speak for Themselves

Looking back now, the transformation is almost hard to believe. Our company, once a small struggling startup, is now leading in innovation and productivity. We’ve broken records, exceeded targets, and most importantly, we’ve built a team that people actually want to be part of.

Empowering your core team isn’t just a business strategy; it’s a complete change in mindset. It’s about recognizing that the real strength of leadership lies not in having all the answers, but in creating an environment where answers can come from anywhere.

As I write this, I’m looking at my team – deeply engaged in discussion, sharing ideas with each other, solving problems in real-time. I can’t help but smile. This is what empowerment looks like. This is how you achieve amazing results.

To any entrepreneurs out there feeling the weight of their company on their shoulders, I say this: let go. Trust your team. Empower them to find the answers. Remember, it’s not about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about creating a room full of smart, empowered people. That’s where the magic happens.

And always remember these key principles:

Honor your word – it’s the foundation of trust.

Hire the best people – they’ll drive your success.

Don’t do everything yourself – true success comes from empowering others.

These principles, combined with a real commitment to empowering your team, can lead to truly radical results.

“True entrepreneurial success isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about building a team you trust, empowering them to find solutions, and having the courage to let their brilliance shine. When you stop trying to be the smartest person in the room, you create a room full of smart, empowered people – and that’s where radical results are born.” – Subhash Trivedi

Empowering your core team is a transformative journey that redefines entrepreneurial success. It begins with the humbling realization that as a founder, you don’t need all the answers – instead, your role is to create an environment where great ideas can flourish from anyone. This approach is built on a foundation of trust, where keeping your word is paramount and mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities. By hiring the best people and giving them the freedom to excel, you unlock potential far beyond what you could achieve alone.

The key is to let go of the need for control and embrace the collective wisdom of your team. This shift not only drives innovation and productivity but also creates a vibrant workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent. Ultimately, the power of an empowered team lies in its ability to achieve radical results, turning your entrepreneurial vision into a reality that surpasses your initial dreams.