As the one-year anniversary of my book The Champagne CEO approaches, it’s time to reflect on leading as a hands-on CEO. When you step into the role of CEO, your responsibilities shift in meaningful ways. Rather than watching the direction being set, you’ll shape the vision and help it come to life. And one of the most important lessons you’ll learn is this: Effective leadership starts with being engaged.
As a CEO, you are expected to think strategically. You also need to be present in the day-to-day realities of your business. You don’t have to do everything yourself, but you want to stay close enough to base reality to understand how decisions impact your team, your culture, and your outcomes.
Lead Through Engagement, Not Distance
One of the most powerful steps you can take is to surround yourself with A-level team players. When you actively discuss issues with your team, you set the tone for how leadership operates across the organization. In my book The Champagne CEO, this idea is explored in depth, particularly in the chapter on leading as a hands-on CEO.
One key takeaway is the importance of being prepared. Preparation is about being ready to step into conversations, challenges, and opportunities with clarity and purpose. It’s about actively listening to your team. When you are prepared, you lead with confidence, and your team can more easily follow your example.
You want your leadership team to understand that engagement goes beyond setting goals from a distance. It means being connected to people, processes, and purpose. When your team sees you actively involved, it reinforces the standard so that you don’t need to be a micromanager. Your behavior as macro-CEO communicates that you believe in and live out the mission statement daily.
Connect Vision to Daily Execution
A hands-on approach also allows you to connect your brand vision with its daily operations. You begin to see where things align and where they don’t. You can identify opportunities to improve operations, financials, and culture. Something as simple as your workspace can have a meaningful impact. When your environment aligns with your brand story, it shapes how your team feels and performs.
You also become a better storyteller. When you are close to the work, you understand it more deeply. This allows you to communicate your brand in a way that resonates with both your team and your customers. When people connect with your story, they’re most likely to believe in what you’re building.
Ultimately, leading as a hands-on CEO is about balance. You are setting the strategy and ensuring it is carried out effectively. You are building a team and working with them to make important decisions together.
If you want to go deeper into this approach, The Champagne CEO (2025 Global Book Awards Gold Medalist in Women & Business) offers additional practical insights and examples. At its core, hands-on leadership is about engaging and watching your actions ripple outward. When your team is aligned and engaged, your business is better positioned to grow into its next phase of success.