233. The Big Leadership Mistake Independent Consultants Make

If you're like most independent consultants, one of the reasons you left corporate was to get out of managing. You wanted to avoid the team drama, the politics, the performance reviews.

So it makes sense if you’ve put “leadership” in the rearview.

But here’s the trap: when you assume leadership no longer applies, you create a blind spot that quietly undermines your consulting business.

In this episode, Melisa explores what happens when consultants opt out of leadership, not intentionally but by default, and how that decision limits your growth, momentum, and confidence.

She redefines what leadership looks like as a business owner. It’s about leading yourself and your business with direction, consistency, and purpose.

You’ll walk away with:

• A new, more relevant definition of leadership that fits your role right now
• A five-part self-leadership framework you can use immediately
• Specific ways to take the lead in your business, even if you’re a team of one

Inside the episode:

• [04:58] How the “I don’t lead anymore” mindset keeps your business reactive
• [11:13] Five self-leadership traits that fuel consistent growth and sustainability
• [13:32] What it actually means to be the visionary in your business
• [16:47] How to stay motivated without relying on external validation
• [18:56] Why opportunity generation depends on your ability to lead yourself
• [21:22] What it looks like to build trust in your own leadership, not just your client work

If you’ve been operating like a one-person delivery machine, this episode will show you how to shift into the leader role, the one that actually drives results.

→ Open the show notes for the five self-leadership traits and reflection questions to start applying this right away. https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-233/

Related Resources

• Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-233/
• Join the waitlist for Melisa’s Business Brain Journal, https://www.melisaliberman.com/growth-atlas-products 
• Companion Resource: Read Chapter 16 in Melisa’s book, Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSXJBGVB
• Related Podcast Episode: Episode 188 - Thinking of Yourself as a Managing Partner: A Gamechanger for Your Consulting Business Results, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-188/#more-2518 
• Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at https://www.consultmelisa.com   

Want More?

• Get Melisa’s Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/book
• Visit with Melisa’s Website: www.melisaliberman.com 
• Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman 
• Get Notified When Melisa’s Products Launch: https://www.melisaliberman.com/growth-atlas-products 

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.