Before founding Simple Modern in 2015, I worked for a non-profit ministry for nine years, and that experience powerfully shaped my approach to business and culture. Three lessons, in particular, stuck with me as I began my journey as an entrepreneur.

Collaboration is one of the five core values of Simple Modern. We believe that teams produce better results than individuals, so collaboration plays a significant role in the day-to-day structure of our company.

In the words of Winston Churchill, “Now, this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

Sometimes tuition is financial, but it can also be time, effort, reputation, or physical health. The more tuition we pay, the more deeply the experience impacts our future thoughts and actions.

We live in a world with unprecedented access to information. Social media and smartphones have given us more insight into the lives of others than ever before. And yet, our hunger for authenticity and transparency continues to run deep. Why is that?

One simple truth redefined my understanding of leadership. Values aren’t defined by what a leader says or the words in a mission statement. Values are expressed by the reality of what a team rewards, celebrates, and sacrifices. Here are some thoughts on the concept of the principle of “text” and “subtext.”

Here are 18 leadership principles that have transformed how I lead teams.