Leadership isn’t just about following the rules. Some of the most successful leaders are the ones who try new things, challenge what’s normal, and think in different ways. At Elixr Labs, we’ve broken a lot of rules, and honestly, it’s been one of the best choices we’ve made.

When we began Elixr Labs, we aimed to change healthcare with technology. Many didn’t believe in our idea and questioned our methods because we weren’t following the usual path. But we knew we were onto something important. My leadership style was different, too, and it made some people curious. But now, looking back, I can say that going against the norm was the right choice for us.

So, what did we do differently, and how did it help us improve and grow?

1. Fail Fast, Fail Forward

One of the biggest rules we broke was encouraging failure. You might be thinking, "How can failure be a good thing?"

Here’s the thing—failure is something that happens to everyone. It’s a part of life, especially when starting a new business. What we learned early on is that what really matters is how we deal with failure. Instead of being afraid of it, we accepted it.

I told my team to fail fast. If we made a mistake, it was better to learn from it quickly, fix it, and keep going. The quicker we failed, the faster we could get better and adjust. This way of thinking helped us not only bounce back from problems but also grow and learn faster.

In fact, every failure helped us move closer to success. By making failure okay, we didn’t let it stop us—we used it to learn and come up with new ideas.

2. Get Involved, Ask Questions

Another rule I broke was that leaders should stay distant from their teams. Normally, leaders are expected to make decisions on their own and talk to their teams only when needed. But I didn’t lead that way.

Instead, I encouraged everyone to talk and work together. I wanted feedback from everyone in the company, no matter their job. It wasn’t just about big decisions—it

was about creating a place where everyone’s ideas could be heard.

Asking my team for feedback wasn’t always popular at first. Some people thought it made me look weak since a leader is expected to have all the answers. But I knew that by involving everyone, we’d build a stronger, more trusting team where everyone worked better together.

We didn’t just talk about company goals—we talked about how each person could help reach them. When everyone felt listened to and important, the team became more excited, motivated, and committed to our shared goals.

3. Focus on Individual Strengths and Goals

I quickly learned that each person on my team had different strengths. So, I set goals for the whole team but also let each member focus on personal goals. This helped Elixr Labs grow as a company and each member grew individually.

By finding each team member’s strengths, I could help them focus on what they did best and support them where they needed to grow. This lets everyone improve at their own speed and contribute in a way that feels right for them.

Focusing on individual goals motivated my team and made them feel responsible for their work. They saw how their efforts helped the whole company, so everyone worked together better and helped the company move forward.

4. Take A Step Beyond the Norm

The main lesson from our experience at Elixr Labs is simple: sometimes, breaking the rules can lead to success. We tried new things, took risks, and went beyond normal limits. It wasn’t always easy, but those risks paid off.

When something doesn’t fit your vision, take the chance to do things differently. Trust yourself, challenge the conventional way, and don’t be afraid to break the rules to make it work for you. Doubts and questions are okay because real change happens when you’re brave enough to try new ideas.

What about you? Have you ever broken the rules as a leader? What different choices have helped you grow and succeed? Let’s keep learning and sharing. Leadership is about growing together and reaching new goals. I’d love to hear your stories and keep this conversation going!

Good leaders don’t just make decisions—they take risks, try new ideas, and do the unexpected. At Elixr Labs, we found success by doing things differently. I hope this motivates you to bring boldness to your own work!

Remember, the best leaders and innovators didn’t follow the rules—they made their own. And you can do that too.