🌟 In this episode of Permission to Lead, I walk you through the 5 Stages of the Leadership Journey, the five crucial stages every online entrepreneur goes through on their leadership journey - from Hobbyist to true LEADer. If you’ve ever wondered why building a team feels overwhelming (or why it sometimes backfires), you’re not alone — and you’re definitely not failing.

I'm not here to sell you on hustle culture or "just hire a VA" tactics. I'm here to talk honestly about what it actually takes to go from doing it all yourself (and burning out) to leading a team you can trust — without micromanaging, constant overwhelm, or losing the soul of your business along the way.

We dive into:

💫 How to reconcile your fear of "becoming a bad boss" and step into ethical leadership

💫 The real reason hiring your first VA doesn’t solve everything (and what to do instead)

💫 How my L.E.A.D. framework (Listen, Enlist, Allow, Delegate) creates a positive ripple effect inside your team

💫 How to achieve True Leadership where you wake up excited about your business again!

If you've ever found yourself wondering, "Am I ready to lead?" or feeling stuck between wanting help and worrying you’ll become that boss you swore you’d never be — you're not alone. I've been there, my clients have been there, and I'm sharing real, practical insights that will help you recognize exactly where you are on your leadership journey... and what small, intentional steps will actually move you toward becoming the ethical, effective leader your mission deserves.

Because your work matters. Your people matter. And the way you lead matters.

✨ Take the leadership journey quiz at worthofwork.com to find your stage and start building the business — and team — you’re proud of.

RESOURCES

Leadership Quiz: https://www.worthofwork.com/f/quiz

HR Management Software →Gusto: https://gusto.com

Listen to our past episode on Leadership (How to Lead With Empathy: The L.E.A.D Framework for Conscious Entrepreneurs Who Want to Build Ethical Teams): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-2-how-to-lead-with-empathy-the-l-e-a/id1804459466?i=1000701972703

Schedule free 1:1 call with Emily: https://calendly.com/worthofwork/consultation

Permission to Lead Course: https://www.worthofwork.com/courses/permission-to-lead