Leadership, Ego, and Letting Go

Rethinking What Leadership Looks Like

Leadership isn’t about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about knowing when to step back and let others take the lead.

Justin’s always pushed against that old-school idea of leadership — the “I’m the boss, do what I say” mentality. Early in his career, he watched business icons who led with intimidation. They hit their numbers, but they left a trail of burnout and frustration behind. That never resonated with him. Why build something cold and sterile when you can build a team that actually wants to be there?

Trust Over Control

At Seven Corners, and now at Formula 50, the philosophy is simple: hire smart people, support them, and get out of their way. The best leaders don’t have to be “the guy.” They just have to create space for great work to happen. That’s the kind of environment we’re building here — one where ideas matter more than ego, and results grow from trust.

That mindset also means learning when to let go. Sometimes you can’t force others to see things your way, even if you know you’re right. As Justin often says, “Knowledge is taken, never given.” People have to want to learn, to take the next step themselves. The same goes for founders. You can’t build a great company by clinging to every decision — you have to let your team take ownership.

Growth Comes From the Struggle

And when things don’t go perfectly? That’s part of the process. Every challenge, every misstep, every uncomfortable moment — those are the parts that shape you far more than your wins ever will.

We’ve seen that play out again and again — in our own story and in the stories of the founders we work with. At Formula 50, we’re not here to hand out quick wins. We’re here to build environments where growth lasts, where leadership is learned, and where ego stays in check.

When you lead with humility and trust, everything else falls into place.