The Human Side of Leadership: Lessons Learned Supporting 10 Founders and Counting
In my journey as a Certified Online Business Manager (OBM), I work closely with the Founders of various online businesses. Each client brings a unique perspective and set of challenges, and there are so many moments where I’m reminded of the human element of leadership through moments of vulnerability with my clients.
During a weekly one-on-one call, one of my clients was running behind schedule. She needed to finish applying her makeup while we held our meeting and asked me if that was okay.
I told her it was fine, and shared that I was an Executive Assistant before I became an OBM. This gives me a deep familiarity with the behind-the-scenes realities that accompany leadership roles.
My work experience has equipped me to be flexible in these moments and in tune with my clients’ needs as leaders and humans.
(Granted, I also shared that if this became a constant reoccurrence and impacted our work together, I would let her know.) 😉
Reflecting on my journey, here are four lessons I've learned from collaborating with 10+ Founders:
Business Life Integrates with Personal Life: The boundary between business and personal life isn't always clear-cut. Acknowledging and supporting the personal aspects of a Founder's life enhances their overall well-being and productivity.
Navigating Through Challenges: Founders aren't always going to be optimistic. Building a business is HARD WORK and they face challenges that require resilience and adaptability. Having a supportive partnership is crucial during these times.
The Power of Support Systems: Behind every successful Founder is a robust support system. As an OBM, I provide a supportive presence that maintains positivity, morale, and clarity.
Embracing Vulnerability: Leaders don't need to hide their humanity. Many of the Founders I work with are unafraid to show vulnerability, whether through discussing setbacks, fears, or even shedding tears during our conversations! These moments foster trust and deeper collaboration.
My role isn't just about optimizing business operations; it's about positively impacting the lives of the Founders I support. One of my OBM slogans reflects this belief:
It’s not just about the impact on your business. It’s also about the impact on your life.
I love accompanying Founders on their journeys and leveraging the full breadth of my experience to provide them with the strategic, technical, and personal support they need.
Supporting Founders isn't just a profession for me; it's a passion for making a meaningful difference, one strategic partnership at a time.
If you enjoyed reading this and want personalized business reflections and management tips each month, head to https://www.victoriadekeizer.com/contact to find the sign-up form for my brand-new newsletter! 🎉
About Victoria de Keizer
Victoria is a Certified Online Business Manager and the founder of Keizer Virtual Solutions, a boutique operations and systems consultancy supporting impact-oriented professional service businesses - including consultants, coaches, and growing firms.
With a calm, grounded approach to operational leadership, Victoria helps founders and firm leaders design and steward systems that support sustainable growth, strong client delivery, and healthy internal operations. Her work spans client onboarding and CRM builds, full operational ecosystem design, and long-term operational partnership.
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