Are You Running Alone When You Should Be Running with Lions?

There’s a well-known saying: “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.”

Many business owners and managers think they are going together, but in reality, they are running alone—dragging their team behind them like a boat anchor instead of running alongside them like a pack of lions.

It’s an exhausting place to be. You’re running full speed, working longer hours, making all the decisions, and taking on more than your fair share. Meanwhile, your team doesn’t seem to be pulling their weight. It feels like dead weight. And at some point, you start wondering if it would be easier to just do everything yourself.

That’s where the real danger begins.

The Real Problem: You Can’t Outrun the Math

Here’s what happens when you take everything on yourself: yes, you might feel like you’re moving faster in the moment, but the math doesn’t work in your favor.

Let’s break it down.

• You at 100% capacity = 100% productivity.

• A team of 10 employees, each at only 50% capacity = 500% productivity.

Even if your team is frustrating you, even if they aren’t operating at full throttle, they still cover more ground than you could ever cover alone.

And if you keep running solo, you’re not just limiting your success—you’re ensuring that your growth stalls. Because the moment you stop running, everything stops.

Step One: Build a Team That Runs With You

Every team—yes, even yours—has the ability to improve. Every team has the capacity to move the needle. The problem is, too many leaders accept the status quo and resign themselves to a belief that their team will never be capable of more.

That’s a dangerous mindset.

A great leader doesn’t just lead; they build a team. They invest in their people, create clear expectations, and set standards that elevate performance. They don’t tolerate mediocrity, but they also don’t assume the worst.

If you feel like your team is a boat anchor, it’s time to ask yourself:

• Have you clearly defined the outcomes you expect?

• Are you leading, coaching, and holding them accountable?

• Are you making time to communicate and empower your team?

Or are you just assuming they’ll never rise to the occasion?

Step Two: Become Resolute in Your Vision

Most business leaders are stuck in a loop—frustrated with their team, taking on too much, and ultimately choosing to do it all themselves. But that’s not leadership. That’s survival mode.

The difference between a team that runs with you and a team that drags behind you comes down to your leadership.

Set expectations. Train them. Hold them accountable. Create the culture where everyone is moving in the same direction. And most importantly, stop assuming you have to do everything yourself.

If you want to go far, you must go together.

But if you want to go together, you must build a team that runs with you, not behind you.

At Leverage Consulting, we help leaders create environments where teams thrive—where you’re not carrying the weight alone but running with lions. If you’re ready to build a team that moves with you instead of against you, contact us today. Let’s transform the way your team operates and unlock the full potential of your business.