Stop Flying Solo: Why the Best Leaders Never Navigate Alone Leadership doesn't come with a co-pilot manual, but it should. Just like pilots request "flight following" from air traffic control to spot hazards they might miss, smart leaders know they need external perspectives watching their six. This isn't about weakness—it's about wisdom. The Reality Check Too many leaders operate in isolation, convinced they can handle everything solo. It's legal, sure. You're qualified, absolutely. But here's the kicker: just because you can fly alone doesn't mean you should. The cockpit of leadership gets lonely fast, and blind spots don't announce themselves before they cause a crash. What You'll Discover: Why Leaders Resist Help (And Why That's Dangerous) Impatience drives many leaders to skip the "ask for input" step and just do it themselves. Faster, right? Wrong. Leading in a vacuum creates disgruntled teams and cultures built on resentment. When leaders make unilateral decisions without consulting their people, they miss critical perspectives and create unnecessary turbulence. The convenience of solo decision-making comes with a hidden price tag: team trust. Your Team Is Your Best Navigation System Here's something most leadership books won't tell you: the people you're leading are your most valuable guidance system—if you let them be. Like the apples at the bottom of the bushel basket holding up the big ones on top, your team's support and input determine your altitude. Ignore their feedback at your peril. The Blue Angels don't fly inches apart at high speeds because one person knows everything—they do it because they trust each other completely and communicate constantly. When to Request Your Leadership Flight Following Most leaders wait until they're in a thunderstorm to call for help. Don't be that frog swimming in slowly boiling water. The best time to establish your support network is before you need it. Whether it's coaches, mentors, trusted peers, or a properly functioning board—get your flight following established now. The smartest leaders surround themselves with people who make them better, not people who just agree with them. The Bottom Line: Flight following doesn't take the controls out of your hands. You're still pilot in command. But it gives you clarity, reduces risk, and dramatically increases your chances of reaching your destination safely. Leadership works exactly the same way. Tune In For: The flight following analogy that will change how you think about asking for help Why making decisions alone is convenient but culturally catastrophic How to identify who should be watching your leadership blind spots The small basket of apples lesson every leader needs to hear Practical steps to build your leadership navigation team today Your mission is too important to risk flying blind. Time to call for backup.