Diary of a Leader: Why Builders in Leadership Are the Key to Driving Results
- Lindsay Sheldrake
- Jan 30
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 4
Welcome to "Diary of a Leader" - Real Stories, Leadership Lessons, and Personal Growth
Ah, leadership! The thrilling, heart-racing journey of ups, downs, and all the delightful chaos in between.
Welcome to "Diary of a Leader," where I don’t just share the good, the bad, and the downright awkward moments of leadership—I also guide, mentor, and empower you to navigate your own leadership journey with confidence and purpose.
Leadership is more than a role; it’s a responsibility to grow, inspire, and help others reach their potential. So, as I reflect on my lessons learned, my goal is to equip you with the insights and tools to lead with clarity, authenticity, and impact.
And Today, I’m Serving Up a Leadership Lesson About Builders
Let’s start with this: the road to success is always under construction.
The best teams and organizations aren’t built by people who wait for perfect conditions or flawless plans. They’re built by builders—people who take action, create momentum, and make things happen.
And if you’re leading a team, one of the most important things you can do is identify the builders around you—because these are the people who will drive results, push boundaries, and turn ideas into reality.
What Makes a Builder?
Builders aren’t just “hard workers” or “go-getters.” They operate with a unique mindset—one that thrives on uncertainty, progress, and results. If you want to build a high-performing team, you need builders who don’t just complete tasks but create momentum and drive outcomes.
Builders Have a Results-First Mentality
Builders love numbers, outcomes, and impact. It’s not just about staying busy—it’s about getting things done and driving real change. They don’t just measure effort; they measure results.
Builders Are Never Truly Satisfied
They’ll celebrate a win, but only for a moment—because they’re already looking for the next challenge. Builders don’t settle. They build, refine, and keep moving forward.
Builders Don’t Accept “No” as an Answer
Not enough time? Builders will find more.
Not enough budget? Builders will figure it out.
Not enough resources? Builders will get creative.
Builders Operate on the Edge of Uncertainty
They’re comfortable making decisions without knowing all the answers—because they trust themselves to figure it out along the way. Builders aren’t afraid of the unknown; they embrace it.
Builders Are the Key to Driving Results
No matter where they are, builders produce. They don’t just contribute; they push projects, teams, and organizations forward. They find inefficiencies, improve systems, and turn strategy into execution. If you want sustained growth, you need builders leading the way.
The Time I Had to Build Without a Blueprint
I’ve always had builder tendencies—but there was one moment in my career where I really understood what that meant.
At a previous company, I was leading a team through a major operational shift. We were implementing new systems, restructuring workflows, and trying to increase efficiency without sacrificing quality.
The problem? There was no clear roadmap.
The leadership team wanted results but wasn’t sure how to get there. There were conversations, ideas, and theories—but no action plan.
And I knew waiting for a perfect plan wasn’t an option.
So, I did what builders do—I made things happen.
This was before AI tools could generate strategies, roadmaps, or help with workflow optimization. There was no automated way to shortcut the thinking process—we had to figure it out ourselves, from scratch.
Instead of getting stuck in analysis paralysis, I mapped out a rough framework, set small milestones, and got my team moving.
I identified quick wins that would build momentum while we tackled the bigger challenges.
I removed barriers—cutting through unnecessary approval chains and decision fatigue.
I empowered my team to own different parts of the process so that we could execute in parallel.
At first, the uncertainty was uncomfortable. We were solving problems in real time, adjusting as we went. But here’s the thing about builders: they don’t wait for every answer—they move forward with what they know.
And in the end?
We not only hit our efficiency target—we surpassed it.
The new systems we built became a long-term foundation for growth.
The team gained confidence in their ability to problem-solve without waiting for top-down direction.
That experience solidified my belief in the builder mindset. Because success isn’t about waiting for the perfect plan—it’s about having the drive, adaptability, and ownership to create results.
Why You Need Builders on Your Team
If you want a team that consistently delivers exceptional results, you need to identify, empower, and develop your builders.
How Do You Spot a Builder?
They thrive on momentum – Builders don’t just set goals; they take action.
They take ownership – They don’t wait to be told what to do. They step up, solve problems, and own their results.
They turn ideas into action – Some people are great at brainstorming, but builders actually make things happen.
They inspire those around them – Their energy, focus, and determination are contagious.
How to Develop and Retain Builders
If you want builders to stay engaged, they need three key things:
Big Challenges – They don’t want to maintain the status quo; they want to build. Give them meaningful projects that push boundaries.
Autonomy – Micromanagement is the fastest way to kill a builder’s motivation. Trust them to execute.
A Clear Baseline for Progress – Builders need a way to measure growth. Set clear goals, track progress, and challenge them to push for a “plus one” improvement each time.
Wrapping Up (Because Time is Precious)
Here’s the takeaway: Success isn’t about having the perfect plan—it’s about building.
Identify the builders on your team.
Empower them to take ownership.
Create an environment where they can build, grow, and win.
Because when you develop builders, everything around you compounds. Results scale. Teams thrive. Businesses grow.
Catch you next time, fellow leaders-in-training—and remember, the road to success is always under construction.
Stay tuned for more reflections and lessons from the trenches of leadership in the next installment of
"Diary of a Leader"
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