Podcast Summary: Build with Leila Hormozi
Episode: You WILL Be Misunderstood, Here's What To Do About It | Ep 224
Release Date: December 30, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 224 of Build with Leila Hormozi, host Leila Hormozi delves into the often challenging aspect of leadership: being misunderstood and disliked. Drawing from her extensive experience in scaling businesses and leading teams, Leila shares invaluable insights on navigating the complexities of leadership decisions that may not always be popular but are essential for long-term success.

Personal Journey and Leadership Challenges

Leila begins by reflecting on her journey of growing and selling her previous business over seven and a half years. She candidly discusses the emotional and mental toll it took, sharing thoughts like:

“If I had known how hard it was going to be, like, gosh, would I have done it again? And I was like, yeah. You know, it's like at the end of the day, you're kind of like, I would.”
— Leila Hormozi [02:15]

This introspection sets the stage for her exploration of the challenges leaders face, especially as their businesses grow and decisions become more complex.

The Reality of Being Misunderstood and Disliked as a Leader

Leila emphasizes that leadership inherently involves making tough decisions that may not always be well-received. She states:

“Leadership is about making decisions. The best leaders are the best decision makers. Not everyone will agree with those decisions, and there's a lot of people that won't even understand or try to understand them.”
— Leila Hormozi [07:30]

She highlights that as businesses expand, the frequency and impact of such decisions increase, often leading to misunderstandings and dislike from various stakeholders, including team members and investors.

Reasons Leaders May Be Misunderstood

1. Tough Decisions

Leila explains that leaders frequently make decisions that others might avoid. These decisions are often based on comprehensive data and long-term benefits rather than immediate emotions. She uses an analogy to illustrate this point:

“It's like a weed. It's like you want to pick it when it's small, not when it's gotten bigger. And some people... they don't have the experience to see that it's a weed. They're like, it looks like a flower.”
— Leila Hormozi [15:45]

This metaphor underscores the difficulty in making premature or unpopular decisions that are necessary for the health of the business.

2. Communication Barriers

As organizations grow, the complexity of decisions increases, making it harder to communicate the underlying reasons effectively. Leila points out:

“People misunderstand decisions because they don't have the context you have. They just see you make a decision and they don't like the immediate impact.”
— Leila Hormozi [28:10]

She shares a poignant example from an acquisition scenario where miscommunication led to key team members leaving prematurely, reinforcing the importance of clear and transparent communication.

Coping Strategies for Leaders

1. Aligning Decisions with Values

Leila advocates for leaders to anchor their decisions in their core values. She explains:

“The number one thing I do is every decision I make... I imagine I'm in court and I'm presenting this decision to my values.”
— Leila Hormozi [35:20]

This practice ensures that even when decisions are unpopular, they remain consistent with the leader's principles, fostering long-term trust and integrity.

2. Accepting the Trade-offs

Understanding that criticism is inevitable, Leila encourages leaders to embrace the trade-offs of making impactful decisions. She asserts:

“If your goal is to avoid criticism, then you're probably not making the right decisions.”
— Leila Hormozi [43:50]

By accepting that not everyone will agree, leaders can focus on what truly matters for their organization's growth and success.

3. Overcommunicating the 'Why'

To mitigate misunderstandings, Leila stresses the importance of thoroughly explaining the rationale behind decisions. She notes:

“Overcommunicate the why. I think that this is something that a lot of younger leaders don't do because they feel afraid. They're like, what if I overshare?”
— Leila Hormozi [50:35]

Providing context helps team members understand the bigger picture, reducing resistance and fostering a more collaborative environment.

Upsides of Being Misunderstood or Disliked

Leila reframes the negative feelings associated with being misunderstood by highlighting the positive outcomes that often result from such situations. She states:

“Being misunderstood usually means that you're pushing a boundary. Innovation, growth, success. You're getting outside your comfort zone.”
— Leila Hormozi [58:00]

Referencing influential leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Elon Musk, and Steve Jobs, she illustrates how initial resistance can lead to lasting positive legacies and significant breakthroughs.

Conclusion

Leila Hormozi concludes the episode with a powerful reminder that being misunderstood and disliked is an inevitable part of leadership. She encourages leaders to remain steadfast in their values, accept criticism as part of the journey, and continue making decisions that drive their organizations forward. Her message resonates with the assurance that enduring short-term challenges will pave the way for long-term success and respect.

“It's not about you... this will happen. It is the cost of being a leader.”
— Leila Hormozi [1:02:45]

Leila's insights offer a roadmap for leaders striving to build resilient, impactful businesses while maintaining their integrity and vision.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace Tough Decisions: Leadership demands making choices that may not be immediately popular but are essential for growth.

• Anchor in Values: Ensuring decisions align with core values fosters long-term trust and integrity.

• Communicate Transparently: Overcommunicating the rationale behind decisions can mitigate misunderstandings and resistance.

• Accept Criticism: Understanding that criticism is a natural part of leadership allows for focused and confident decision-making.

• Long-Term Vision: Staying committed to a long-term vision, even when facing short-term misunderstandings, leads to sustained success and respect.

This episode serves as a crucial guide for current and aspiring leaders, offering strategies to navigate the inevitable challenges of leadership with confidence and resilience.