杨幂从来不参加别人婚礼，但是她的婚礼一定会现身！

I want to share a truth I’ve seen play out again and again in the world of leadership, and it’s something many companies and business owners overlook.

Promoting too fast can actually break your team.

Not every leader is ready the moment they get the title.

When I look back at my own journey, from arriving in the U.S. without speaking English, to slowly learning, growing, and gaining experience, it’s clear to me that leadership isn’t about rushing. It’s about progression. Step by step, rung by rung. Having had the experience of stepping into pretty much every role, from a clerk, then coordinator, supervisor, manager, director, vice president and business owner, gave me invaluable experience and allowed me to fail at the right time to continue to learn and get better and better.

Why Moving Up Slowly Matters More Than You Think

I’ve worked with business owners who promoted their siblings or close friends way too early. They handed over the keys to the kingdom before those leaders had walked in the trenches. What happened? The new “leaders” didn’t understand the daily grind of their teams. They hadn’t earned respect. They lacked empathy for the frontline workers because they never had to live the tough realities their employees faced.

The result? The workforce felt disconnected and undervalued. Trust broke down. Engagement plummeted. And the best, most capable employees quietly packed their bags and left.

This isn’t just about titles or ego. It’s about the mindset and emotional intelligence that comes only from earning leadership through real experience.

Real Leadership Is Built in the Trenches

Imagine a young leader promoted directly from the front line to managing a large team, without ever having supervised even a single person before. Suddenly, they’re expected to make strategic decisions, coach others, and handle conflict.

They might know the technical work, but leading people requires something different.

They need time to learn how to:

• Communicate clearly under pressure
• Delegate effectively without micromanaging
• Own mistakes and hold themselves accountable
• Build trust with their team through empathy
• Manage their own emotions when stress runs high

I’ve seen many leaders stumble because they skipped these vital lessons.

The Emotional Cost of Skipping Steps

One client of mine told me about her company’s “fast-track” leadership program. It seemed like a great idea on paper, promote quickly to fill leadership gaps.

But within six months, half the promoted leaders were overwhelmed and burned out. They hadn’t developed the emotional resilience or mindset to lead others through challenges. Morale dropped. Productivity stalled. The company was left scrambling to plug holes they’d created.

That’s the emotional cost of rushing the chain of command: burnout, turnover, and lost potential.

How to Move Up the Chain of Command the Right Way

If you’re a leader or business owner, here are some practical steps to honor the journey and build strong, capable leaders:

1. Build a Leadership Ladder with Clear Milestones Define what readiness looks like at every level. Make sure promotions come with clear expectations and the skills to match.

2. Invest in Development Before Promotion Offer coaching, mentoring, and leadership training before you hand over the title. Prepare people emotionally and mentally.

3. Encourage Stretch Assignments Give emerging leaders opportunities to lead small projects or teams. Let them practice leading without the pressure of a full role.

4. Recognize and Reward Learning, Not Just Results Celebrate growth and effort in leadership development, even when outcomes aren’t perfect. This builds confidence and humility.

5. Stay Connected to the Front Lines Make sure your leaders have regular exposure to day-to-day operations. It keeps their empathy sharp and decisions grounded in reality.

For Aspiring Leaders: Own Your Growth Journey

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I want to lead, but I don’t feel ready,” that’s actually a good sign. It means you understand leadership is more than just a title.

Embrace the process:

• Learn from every experience — even the tough ones.
• Ask questions and seek feedback from mentors and peers.
• Build emotional intelligence—your ability to manage yourself and others is key.
• Find your authentic voice as a leader by reflecting on what matters most to you.

Don’t rush your climb. The strongest leaders I know are the ones who took their time, absorbed lessons, and built a foundation they can trust.

Leadership Is a Privilege You Earn Over Time

I get it, sometimes business needs force quick decisions, and opportunities arise fast. But remember: moving up the chain of command slowly isn’t about holding people back. It’s about setting them up for success.

When you build leaders who truly understand their role, who’ve earned respect through experience, you create a culture of trust, empowerment, and lasting growth.

That foundation will carry your team through the toughest challenges.

Because leadership isn’t just a title, it’s a responsibility earned with patience, experience, and heart.

If you want to explore how to develop leadership pipelines or help your leaders build the emotional mindset they need, I’m here to help. This is where real transformation begins.

— Carlos DeLeon Founder, Delxico Consulting LLC