What separates good leaders from truly great ones? The answer often lies in psychological safety—the foundation of high-performing, innovative teams. In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, hosts Robin and Al sit down with Fahd Alhattab, keynote speaker and founder of Unicorn Labs, to explore how leaders can cultivate environments where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and thrive.

Fahd shares his journey into leadership and unpacks some of the most common pitfalls founders face—especially around ego and control—and how these challenges can make or break a team. He discusses why empowerment, trust, and communication are essential for building a collaborative culture and how leaders can create long-term impact for future generations.

"Confidence without humility is a problem." ~ Fahd Alhattab

Key takeaways:

1. Building High-Performing Teams – Strong teams thrive on psychological safety, effective communication, and shared purpose. Founders must foster trust and encourage open dialogue to enable growth and learning.
2. Leadership as Leverage – Great leaders identify critical leverage points that drive success or failure. Delegation isn’t about letting go entirely—it’s about focusing on strengths while empowering teams to take ownership.
3. Overcoming Common Pitfalls – Ego, lack of systems, and resistance to change can hinder leadership. Successful founders embrace adaptability, develop scalable systems, and encourage exploration in their businesses.
4. Empowering Teams for Growth – Leadership isn’t about control; it’s about creating an environment where teams can take risks, make decisions, and evolve. A supportive network and strong group norms enhance team performance and long-term success.

If you're a leader, entrepreneur, or someone who wants to bring out the best in your team, this conversation is filled with actionable insights you won’t want to miss.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group