The Leadership Toolkit
Leading Yourself First: The Foundation of Lasting Leadership
In the scope of leadership and entrepreneurship, leading yourself first is a key ingredient; yet we often look for the “secret sauce” or a high-tech shortcut to success. But as Cindee Williams, a Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach and founder of Lead My Life, shares on the Leadership Toolkit podcast, the most enduring businesses are often built on a foundation of raw grit, a rusty pressure washer, and a commitment to serving others. Her journey from a fifth-grade teacher to a successful commercial cleaning business owner, and now a leadership coach, offers a masterclass in how to transition from simply “running a business” to truly leading people.
Every leader hits a wall at some point. The difference between those who scale and those who stall is often found in their perspective on leadership. For Cindee, leadership isn’t just about managing tasks; it is about intentionality and the realization that you cannot export what you do not have within yourself. If you want to lead others effectively, you must first learn to lead your own life.
The Grit Behind the Growth: From a Rusty Pressure Washer to a Commercial Empire
Many entrepreneurs start with a grand vision and a massive capital investment. Cindee and her husband, however, started with a practical need: they were newlyweds in 1991 who needed extra cash. Their “vehicle” for success wasn’t a high-tech app or a trendy startup; it was a rusty old pressure washer found in a barn.
They began by pressure washing restaurant sidewalks in the middle of the night. This humble beginning taught them the value of grit. They moved from sidewalks to car washes, and eventually, people began to notice their work ethic. Before long, they were cleaning office buildings, movie theaters, and large restaurants. What started as a “mom and pop” side hustle evolved into a bonafide commercial cleaning company.
However, as the business grew, the nature of their responsibility shifted. It was no longer just about how to grow the bottom line; it was about the people they employed. As Cindee explains, when you start taking on employees, you realize you have other mouths to feed besides your own. This is where the transition from entrepreneur to leader truly begins.
Building Businesses to “Bless Back”
One of the most profound insights Cindee shares is the philosophy of building a business to “bless back.” In her view, profit is not the finish line; it is a launching pad for impact. This mindset shifts the focus from internal gain to external contribution. When a business is built to bless back, the impact flows in three distinct stages:
- Blessing Your Family: This is the starting line, ensuring your own household is provided for.
- Blessing Your Team: Investing in the development and well-being of the people who work for you.
- Blessing Your Community: Using the resources and influence of the business to pour back into the world.
By viewing business as a tool for impact, the daily grind of management takes on a higher purpose. It moves the conversation from “How much can I make?” to “How much can I give?”
Leading Yourself First is Key in High-Turnover Industries
The janitorial industry is notorious for high turnover. Most people don’t grow up dreaming of cleaning toilets for 35 years. Cindee recognized this early on and adjusted her leadership style accordingly. She understood that for many of her employees, the job was a “bridge job.”
Whether an employee was working to pay off debt, save for college, or buy their first house, Cindee’s goal was to help them get to the other side of that bridge. She focused on developing the person, not just the worker. When leaders take an interest in the personal goals of their team members, they create a culture of loyalty and excellence, even in industries where turnover is the norm.
As she notes, when you develop people to the point where they are ready to go out and conquer the world, word gets around. A company’s reputation as a “great place to work” becomes its best recruiting tool.
The LEAD Framework: Living Exceptional and Advancing Daily
To help others navigate their own leadership journeys, Cindee developed the LEAD framework. This isn’t just a set of business rules; it’s a philosophy for life. Two of the most critical components she highlights are Living Exceptional and Advancing Daily.
1. Live Exceptional: Doing Excellent Differently
Many people strive for excellence, but Cindee challenges leaders to be exceptional. She defines this as “doing excellent differently.” Everyone has a unique “thumbprint” or gift that they bring to the world. Instead of comparing yourself to competitors or trying to mimic someone else’s success, focus on your unique offering.
“Don’t worry about all the other people… they’re not us. We’re doing it in our exceptional, unique way,” Cindee says. Whether you are using a pressure washer or running a boardroom, your unique perspective is what makes your leadership valuable.
2. Advance Daily: The Power of Incremental Growth
Success doesn’t happen in five-year or ten-year leaps; it happens in the small steps taken every single day. Cindee emphasizes the importance of intentionality. In the midst of chaos, leaders must find the “one thing” they can do today to make everything else easier or more simple.
When we feel like we are regressing or stuck in the “doldrums,” it is often because we have lost sight of our purposeful growth. Advancing daily means asking: What am I doing today to move forward? How am I growing purposefully?
Leading Your Own Life First
The core of Cindee’s coaching practice, Lead My Life, is the belief that you cannot lead others if you cannot lead yourself. Leadership is an export, and if you are empty on the inside, you have nothing to give to your team, your family, or your community.
Self-leadership requires a high level of self-awareness. It involves understanding your own behavioral patterns, something Cindee addresses through DISC behavioral consulting. By understanding how you are wired, you can better govern your reactions, manage your time, and communicate with your team.
The Mid-Life Pivot: Launching into a New Season
One of the most inspiring parts of Cindee’s story is her transition. After 30 years in the commercial cleaning industry, she found herself at a crossroads in 2018. With her children leaving the nest, she faced the classic “empty nest” syndrome. While many might look toward retirement, Cindee felt ready to launch.
At age 50, she decided to step out from the “behind the scenes” roles she had played for her family and her business to start something entirely her own. This led her to become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach and Speaker. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that leadership doesn’t have an expiration date. Every season of life offers a new opportunity to apply the lessons you’ve learned and impact a new audience.
Key Takeaways for Leaders
- Embrace Grit: It doesn’t matter what your “vehicle” is (even a rusty pressure washer). What matters is your willingness to serve and your work ethic.
- Shift Your Focus: Move from “What can I get?” to “How can I bless back?” Use profit as a tool for impact.
- Develop the Person: Especially in high-turnover industries, focus on helping your employees reach their goals. They will reward you with excellence.
- Be Exceptional: Don’t just be “excellent” by someone else’s standards. Find your unique way of doing things and lean into it.
- Lead Yourself First: You cannot give what you do not have. Prioritize your own growth and intentionality so you can effectively lead others.
It’s a Journey…
Leadership is a journey that starts with a single step of intentionality. Whether you are just starting out with a “rusty pressure washer” of your own or you are looking to pivot into a new season of life, the principles remain the same. By focusing on living exceptional and advancing daily, you can build a life and a business that doesn’t just succeed, but truly blesses back.
As Cindee Williams reminds us, your unique gift is already in your hands. The question is: How will you use it to lead?
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Our host, Mike Phillips is a seasoned leadership educator and expert. He has a knack for extracting the most valuable insights from his guests. His passion for helping individuals reach their leadership potential shines through in every episode. Thank you for reading and watching. Please share this with someone who needs this message today!