My experience from school has changed as I am at the helm of a small organization as a student. Managing a company has been a profoundly enlightening experience. Leadership at school is often theoretical, encapsulated within textbooks. However, leading a small team teaches you the realities of the working world in a rush. I’ve learned that leadership is not just about orders; it is about fostering a culture of trust and ownership. From the very beginning, small groups, such as teams, reveal both your strengths and weaknesses. Communication is straightforward, responsibility is individual, morale can't be forced, and there is no room to hide. Perhaps one of the most critical things to understand is that in the workplace, decisiveness and empathy trumps authority. When you care, and your messages or the vision is communicated clearly, people step up to the challenge. I’ve also discovered that small teams require a clear sense of movement and agility to function properly. With little bureaucracy, the speed at which things need to be done increases. Striking a balance between decisiveness, thoughtfulness and speed is vital.