How Teenage Dating Reminded Me What Great Leaders Do Differently

Hey there,

So the other day, a friend was telling me about her teenage son who just started dating. (I think I just felt every parent reading this tense up)

She was laughing, partly because it’s sweet, and partly because it’s chaotic. The constant texting. The uncertainty. The constant “what did she mean by that?” questions from her son. It’s all energy and emotion and learning as you go.

Then she said, “I just hope he figures out that a great relationship isn’t about the first date, it’s about what happens after.”

And I thought, that’s business.

Because every leader starts with passion. The first sale. The first client. The first big hire. It’s exciting, emotional, and a little chaotic.

But what makes a business last isn’t that early energy, it’s the systems that support it over time.

That’s where process comes in.

Trust Is Built on Reliability

In relationships, trust comes from showing up, doing what you say you’ll do, again and again.

In business, it’s the same.

Your team and customers need to know what to expect, whether it’s in your service delivery, internal workflows, or leadership decisions.

Process creates trust by removing surprises and replacing them with reliability.

When people can count on you, they commit to you.

Routine Isn’t Boring, It’s Freedom

Healthy relationships have rhythms: morning check-ins, dinner together, regular connection points. They create safety and space to grow.

In business, rhythm looks like Level 10 Meetings, clear agendas, and consistent scorecards.

That structure doesn’t limit you; it frees you. Because when the basics are running smoothly, you can innovate without chaos.

Communication Prevents Breakdowns

We all know what happens when communication slips in a relationship: assumptions, frustration, and missed signals.

In business, lack of process creates the same dynamic. No one’s sure who owns what. Tasks fall through the cracks. Accountability fades.

A clear process is communication. It aligns your team around expectations, builds transparency, and minimizes drama.

From First Dates to Forever

If you want your business to last, to truly be “Built to Last," process is your secret ingredient.

It’s not about replacing passion with paperwork.
It’s about turning early excitement into enduring success.

Because great relationships (and great companies) thrive on consistency, not chaos.

Build a Business That Lasts

If you’re ready to strengthen your systems and free up your leadership energy for what really matters, I’d love for you to join me in a Process Success™ Bootcamp, my hands-on workshop and mastermind designed for leaders who want to scale with clarity and consistency.

Let’s build something that lasts,

Lisa