My journey as a student and entrepreneur managing Helvanta has provided mewith invaluable insights about leadership that are not taught in classrooms. Managing a small group means leadership is personal and close it is not possible to just delegate and walk away. A remarkable lesson that I learned is how communication as a whole plays a role in effectiveness. Listening carefully to each member's ideas and concerns builds trust and aids in collaborative teamwork. Agility is also critical in the small team setting, as these groups are thrust into the middle of constant new challenges and competition that require rapid shifts and decisive action. Flexibility and the ability to respond to complications are also critical. Perhaps most importantly, leading a small team has taught me that it is possible to supercharge the collective performance by affirmation and consistently praising individuals. The insights I have gained from these small teams are not only shaping how I lead Helvanta, but also how I study and strive to be a leader.