One of the most damaging behaviors of a young company is demonstrating preferential treatment for its leader. When your team believes that your needs come first, or at their expense, or that the rank and file’s needs are less important than the needs of the leader, it creates an undercurrent of resentment at all levels of employment. Similarly, when the rules apply to everyone but you, it sends the message the CEO is above the law, and undermines the faith that you have the team’s best interests at heart. On the other hand, when the CEO is the first person on the team to hold themselves accountable, or to be accountable to others, it sends a message that everyone is in this together.

In order to have an organization that gels together and keeps aligned to it’s mission – rules apply to everyone. Part of being a successful CEO is understanding that your needs come last. Your job is to have have fulfilled employees, happy customers and excited investors. It doesn’t mean that because of your title you’re more entitled, more privileged and are more important that anyone else in the organization. You are lucky to have this role and have to have the perspective that the people who are around you believe in you. So give the same respect back by making it clear that you’re in it together, rules apply to everyone.

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