More and more young people, especially Millennials and Gen Zers, are diving into entrepreneurship. Could this be because of the fast-paced world we live in, where people expect results quickly? Many young professionals don’t want to spend years climbing the corporate ladder. Instead, they’re creating their own opportunities.
These young entrepreneurs have the passion and determination needed for success, but they often lack real-world experience, especially when it comes to leadership. To help ease the transition, ten successful CEOs and company founders—many of whom started young themselves—share their best leadership advice.
1. Stay Humble No Matter How Successful You Become
“First and foremost, any young founder must have an insatiable hunger for success and winning — and be resolutely prepared to work your a* off, as your competition most certainly will. Most importantly, stay humble and listen. Your team absolutely needs to understand that you’re predictably calm and composed for them to flourish.”* – Jon Sebastiani, founder and CEO of Krave Jerky
A strong desire for success is important, but it shouldn’t make you forget where you started. Staying humble and keeping a level head will help you build trust and respect within your team.
2. Be Open to Changing Your Ideas
“Your idea is a great one, but on the road to fruition, understand that it will look very different eventually. It won’t resemble your first concept, nor the second version, but the third, after tons of listening and learning — that’s where success will come.” – Shawn Mendel, founder of Funley’s Delicious healthy snack line
Your idea will evolve as your business grows. Be open to feedback from your team and willing to adjust your vision. What seems like the perfect idea now will likely need changes as your business moves through different stages.
3. Admit Your Weaknesses
“Know what your weakness is and hire people around it. The best trait in any leader is to be able to admit their weakest points and build a team to complement it.” – Ashley Morris, CEO of Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop franchise
Acknowledging your weaknesses is actually a sign of strength. Instead of struggling with tasks you’re not good at, hire people who can fill in those gaps.
4. Hire (and Keep) the Best People
“Hire the best, most talented, most knowledgeable people you can get to be a part of your senior management team early as you can. Give them equity to keep them motivated. Steve Jobs mentions something about a small team of A+ players being able to run circles around a large team of B and C players. I see that every day. The entrepreneurs [who] hire A players early and get rid of C players early, move faster and more profitably than anyone else.” – Scott Jensen, co-founder of Rhythm Superfoods
If you want top-tier results, you need top-tier employees. Surround yourself with the best talent and create an environment that makes them want to stay.
5. Trust Your Employees to Do Their Job
“Respect your employees and their experience. Trust them with the roles you hired them for. If you hire someone (regardless of age) and don’t give them any autonomy, they’re not going to give you their best work.” – Dawson Whitfield, co-founder and CEO of Looka
It can be difficult to hand over responsibility, but micromanaging will only hold your company back. Trust your team to do what you hired them to do.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
“A leader does not have to have all of the answers. It is ok to not know everything. In fact, trying to pretend like you know everything will make subordinates lose respect for you as a leader. Don’t be afraid to lean on the team for answers to problems that fall outside your areas of expertise.” – John Holloway, co-founder of NoExam.com, a digital life insurance brokerage
You don’t have to know everything to be a great leader. Asking for help shows confidence, not weakness. Hiring experienced professionals will bring valuable knowledge to your company.
7. Find a Mentor
“As entrepreneurs we allow our ideas to rule our decision making and often throw analysis and planning out the window. A good mentor will help you think about things you have no experience with.” – Jeff Salter, founder of Caring Senior Service franchise
Having a mentor is essential for young entrepreneurs. A mentor can offer advice, provide a fresh perspective, and help you avoid costly mistakes.
8. Keep Your Promises
“Your word is everything. If you say you are going to do something, do it. Whether it is a volunteer opportunity or your job, always follow through. [But] it is important to know when to say no. Say, ‘I can’t do that, but this is what I can do.’ Offer what you can, without committing to something you are going to drop the ball on.” – Lais Pontes, president and founder of The Pontes Group PR and marketing firm
Being reliable is crucial for leadership. If you make a promise, keep it. At the same time, be honest about what you can and can’t do.
9. Challenge Yourself
“The best way to retain passion is by realizing that you can always do better. Real entrepreneurs are endlessly curious and never want to just rest on their laurels; there’s always a new challenge to face.” – Shaan Patel, founder and CEO of Prep Expert
If you stop pushing yourself, your business will stop growing. Taking on new challenges will keep you engaged and inspire your team to do the same.
10. Take Time for Yourself
“You need to work on the business, not in it. Take 3 hours a week, legitimately blocking out time on your calendar, to take time for yourself and the business. Really utilize the time to read, listen to podcasts, go for a run, and draw out a vision.” – Trevor Rappleye, CEO and founder of Corporate Filming
Burnout is real. If you’re not taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of your business. Make time for activities that refresh your mind and body.
Final Thoughts
Being a young entrepreneur can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to leadership. But remember—there’s no single “right” way to lead. You can develop your own style.
Use these expert tips as a guide to help you grow into a strong and effective leader.
