I didn’t set out to be a leader.

I set out to chase an idea. Then the business grew. Then I hired a team. And somewhere between “I’ve got this” and “How did we get here?”… I became a leader.

Spoiler: I wasn’t very good at it.

In this episode, I’m sharing the uncomfortable leadership mistakes I made (including the time I avoided accountability because I was afraid someone would lock me out of my own systems… yes, really).

This year, I decided that if I want to build the next level of my business, I have to become the next level version of myself. From hiring a Sales Director and CFO to investing in leadership training, everything shifted.

The biggest lesson? Integrity isn’t a buzzword — it’s doing what you say you’ll do, by the date you say you’ll do it.

Leadership isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional.

If you’re building a team, scaling your company, or stepping fully into your CEO role, this episode is for you.

Click play to hear all of this and:

[00:00] Why Most Entrepreneurs Accidentally Become Leaders (And Why That’s a Problem)

[04:30] The Cringe-Worthy Mistake I Made When I Avoided Accountability

[10:15] How to Onboard a Leader Into Your Culture (Not Just Their Role)

[18:40] Integrity Defined: Doing What You Say, When You Say It

[24:55] What Happened When Our CFO Started Interviewing Us

[33:10] The Honest Leadership Coaching Session I Almost Didn’t Share

Listen to Related Episodes:

• How You Can Develop the BEST Traits in Leadership
• How to Identify and Lead A, B, and C Players for Business Success
• 3 Signs It’s Time to Restructure Your Team as a Leader

Connect With Jim Zartman:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimzartman
• Website: https://www.jimzartman.com/

📧 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of insider business strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader: https://jasminestar.com/newsletter 📧

For full show notes, visit jasminestar.com/podcast/episode628