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“Any hot tips for leading a big team?” Blake asked Daniel.
Daniel leaned his elbows on his propped-up knees and tilted his head. “Be authentic. Support your leaders so they can support their people. If you try to be dictatorial, you’ll fail.”
“I’d agree,” Hunter said. “As a leader, your job is about identifying people’s strengths and encouraging them to do a good job as they grow. Not trying to force square pegs into round holes, as the generations before us did.”
Fletcher nodded.
“It means you’ll lose people when they outgrow you, but while they are there, you’ll get the best out of them. And people talk—your company will be known as a great place to work.”
Aidan glanced down at Lily, forcing back the wordsunlike your boss, Handsy Matt.
She shot him a quick look and twirled the butterfly on her necklace. Which she did a lot when she was either nervous or sexually frustrated.
“Thanks, that sounds smart. I’ve had a few problems, but I’m sure I’ll get it sorted.” Blake shrugged.
“Do it quickly,” Daniel said. “If you spot toxicity in your teams, the longer you let it fester, the more difficult it is to resolve.”
“That,” Aidan said.
He might not have a corporate structure, but he hired a number of people who worked remotely. Even contractors needed managing.
“I’m sure they think I’m too young to be this successful,” Blake confessed vulnerably.
Daniel shook his head. “Fuck that. It’s 2023. Kids on social media make ten times their parents.”
“If any of them have an issue, you move them out. They’re the wrong people to have in your business,” Aidan said.
“Easier said than done, though. I feel responsible for them. Some of them are kind of friends.” Blake lifted one side of his mouth.
Poor guy. Learning this shit was hard.
“I have a small team in the Dufort business. It’s so easy to get close to your team, but at the end of the day, you’re all there to do a job, so if the lines blur, just learn from it. You’ll make mistakes. We all have,” Oliva said.
Blake blew out his breath.
Logan and Aidan shared a look. Neither of them realized he was so stressed about it. If they’d known, they would have sat him down and helped.
“You’ve got this, bro,” Jacob said, slapping his back.
“We’re here to support you.” Aidan kicked his foot playfully. “When we get home, let’s catch up.”
Blake nodded. “Thanks, man. It’s all happened so fast.”
“I think you’re all amazing,” Lily suddenly said.
Aidan realized she must feel like a fish out of water. They were all incredibly successful and wealthy, so not at all like the people she would normally socialize with.
“Here I am just trying to go to teacher’s college. And you’re all running billion-dollar businesses. God, listen to me,” she said, waving her hand out. “Stupid alcohol.”
Daniel smiled and looked away.
It wasn’t the first time any of them had heard a similar reaction. There was no right answer here. Nothing they could say.
He knew all of them were grateful for what they had and didn’t take it for granted, but at the same time, this was their life, and walking around feeling guilty about it was no way to live.
“Honey, every single one of us felt like that when we first met these guys,” Olivia said. “I worked with them for a year before hooking up with Fletch. Stepping into their personal lives was a whole different ball game.”
“I bet.” Lily nodded.
