YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – As director of women and youth entrepreneurship programs at the Youngstown Business Incubator, Stephanie Gilchrist has worked with dozens, if not hundreds, of entrepreneurs.
Although many are first-time entrepreneurs, and some are as young as nine years old, Gilchrist says her job as a leader isn’t to tell them what to do; it’s to be a servant.
“I believe that is the best way and really the only true way to lead anyone,” she says.
“How can I help you grow and become better as a businessperson in your business model? What can I do? That’s always been my approach.”
During her time at YBI, Gilchrist says she’s helped entrepreneurs to solve a variety of problems and watched them make countless mistakes.
One mistake, which she admits struggling with herself, is being unable to ask for help.
“What I learned in running a nonprofit and even in the role I’m in right now is to say I need help,” Gilchrist says.
Gilchrist spoke with Youngstown Publishing Company CEO Jeff Leo Herrmann during a recent episode of the Brain Gain Youngstown Leadership Podcast series.
Here are key takeaways:
• Learn to delegate. You can’t do everything.
• Think outside the box when problem solving.
• Form partnerships to compensate for your weaknesses.
• Take action.
“That’s what entrepreneurship is, ‘Let’s solve the problem,’ ” said Gilchrist.
“Let’s just get behind it and start doing the work.”
The Brain Gain Youngstown Leadership Podcast is published every Wednesday at BusinessJournalDaily.com and on Spotify.