Hard Lessons & Real Growth: What Business Has Taught Me About Leadership

By Justin Steubs

Business is one of the toughest teachers I’ve ever had — and the lessons don’t stop coming.

I’ve spent a good part of my professional life building companies, leading teams, and navigating both rapid success and difficult setbacks. Through all of it, I’ve learned that real leadership isn’t about getting everything right — it’s about showing up when things are hard, taking responsibility, and rebuilding stronger.

Early in my career, I took on ambitious projects and wore every hat. It taught me the value of vision, grit, and persistence. But it also taught me the cost of growing without structure. There were hard moments — ones I carry with me today not as regrets, but as turning points.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is about leadership — and how we define it.

We’re all leaders. Whether we realize it or not, someone is watching us. Someone is influenced by our actions, our words, or the decisions we make every day. So the real question isn’t “Are you a leader?” — it’s “Are you a good one?”

Plenty of people throughout history have had influence. Hitler influenced millions. So did Jesus. The difference wasn’t their reach — it was the result of their leadership. Influence alone doesn’t make someone great. It’s how that influence is used that defines real leadership.

Jesus never held political office, never led a corporation, and never built a business — yet His leadership reshaped history. He led through compassion, humility, service, and sacrifice. He influenced not by force, but by example. That, to me, is what real leadership looks like.

A good leader doesn’t just drive results. A good leader lifts people up, helps others grow, and creates space for others to thrive. Whether it’s one person or one million, positive influence is the true measure of a leader.

Another major truth I’ve come to accept: we learn far more from our failures than from our successes. Success feels good, but it rarely teaches us much. Failure, on the other hand, is where character gets revealed. It forces growth. It humbles us, sharpens us, and helps us improve — if we let it.

Some of the toughest seasons of my life have ended up being the most transformative. I’ve made decisions I thought were right at the time, only to learn later how wrong they were. But I also came back from those situations with more clarity, more patience, and more wisdom than before.

Over time, I’ve learned to carry leadership differently. I’ve become slower to speak and quicker to listen. I’ve learned to own what’s mine, and release what’s not. And I’ve seen that asking for help doesn’t make you less of a leader — it makes you a stronger one.

These days, I still lead teams, build companies, and put everything I’ve learned into practice. But I carry the weight more carefully now. My focus is on creating environments where people can grow, collaborate, and win together — not just hit numbers, but build something meaningful.

I’ve also learned that leadership isn’t something you master once. It’s a practice — a discipline. It requires constant reflection, feedback, and a willingness to grow. The best leaders I know are still learning. Still failing. Still improving.

That’s what this article is about. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about learning to ask better questions. It’s about being honest when you mess up and having the courage to get back up and try again.

If there’s one thing business has taught me, it’s this: mistakes don’t define you. How you respond does. You can’t always control what happens, but you can control how you show up. And sometimes, the greatest growth comes from the hardest lessons.

Originally published on Medium.

Also shared via my personal site, justinsteubs.com.