How Franchising Changed the Way I Lead People

When I first stepped into leadership, I had a very clear picture in my mind of what a “leader” was supposed to be. Leaders, I thought, needed to be perfect. They needed to know everything, have all the answers, control the process, and ultimately control the outcome. If people weren’t performing or if situations weren’t going the way I envisioned, I felt it was my responsibility to step in, tighten my grip, and make things happen.

That mindset worked for a while—at least on the surface. I could push people, push outcomes, and push myself into believing I was in control. But underneath, the pressure of always trying to control others was draining. I wasn’t truly leading people; I was managing them like moving parts in a machine. And in the process, I was losing energy, peace of mind, and perspective.

Over the years, especially as my faith has grown and I’ve drawn closer to God, my understanding of leadership has changed dramatically. I’ve learned something that on the surface seems simple, but in practice takes humility to accept: you have zero control over people.

The Reality of People in Business

In the world of franchising and business ownership, you quickly learn that people are going to be exactly who they are going to be. Franchisees, employees, partners, and clients all bring their own personalities, motivations, and perspectives to the table. No matter how strong your systems are, no matter how clear your expectations are, you cannot control someone’s choices.

And the harder you try, the more frustrated you become. You burn mental energy trying to manage their every move. You get caught up in their highs and lows, their willingness—or unwillingness—to adapt. You start believing that your success is tied to whether or not you can make them act differently.

But here’s the truth: it isn’t.

The Only Person You Can Truly Lead

The shift for me came when I realized that leadership begins and ends with one person—yourself. You cannot lead others effectively until you’ve learned to lead yourself. That means being intentional about your own growth, your own energy, and your own definite chief aim in life and in business.

When I talk about leading myself, I mean waking up every day with the discipline to keep my focus on what I can control. I can control my actions, my habits, my responses, and my attitude. I can choose whether to waste brain space trying to manipulate other people’s behavior, or whether to conserve that energy for pursuing the bigger vision God has placed on my heart.

Once you embrace that mindset, leadership looks very different. You stop trying to bend people into something they’re not. You stop exhausting yourself trying to control the uncontrollable. Instead, you begin protecting your inner peace, and you allow others to make their own choices.

The Freedom of Letting Go

One of the most freeing lessons I’ve learned as a franchisor is this: when you let people be who they’re going to be, you find peace. Not everyone will choose growth. Not everyone will take responsibility for themselves. Some will adapt, align with your values, and thrive in the system you’ve built. Others won’t. And that’s okay.

The last thing you want as a leader is to get caught up in the endless cycle of trying to control people’s actions. That cycle steals your time, your happiness, and your ability to move forward. But when you learn to release control, you actually gain more influence. People who naturally align with your vision will rise to the surface and follow. Those who don’t will move on. Either way, you preserve your energy and continue walking in the direction of your purpose.

Faith, Leadership, and Peace

For me, this journey has been deeply tied to my faith. The closer I’ve moved to God, the more I’ve realized that control is an illusion. Scripture reminds us again and again that our role is not to dictate or control others, but to steward our own path faithfully. My job is to lead myself well, protect the peace God has given me, and stay committed to the mission He’s called me to.

And in doing so, I’ve found a higher level of peace and happiness. The weight of control has been lifted, replaced with freedom. That freedom not only makes me a better franchisor and business leader, but it also makes me a better husband, father, coach, and friend.

Final Thoughts

So here’s the takeaway: you cannot control people or the outcome of their choices. What you can control is your own leadership of yourself. Protect your energy. Guard your inner peace. Stay focused on the vision and purpose you’ve set out to achieve.

When you do that, leadership becomes less about forcing outcomes and more about inspiring alignment. Some people will naturally follow. Others won’t. But you’ll move forward with clarity, freedom, and peace—and in the long run, that’s what true leadership looks like.