At Verdant Strategies, we understand that leadership isn’t just about titles or tenure—it’s about building a team with the right vision, skills, and adaptability to navigate the complexities of the cannabis industry. Successful leadership in this space demands more than just financial acumen; it requires strategic foresight, operational discipline, and the ability to foster a culture of innovation and resilience. In this article, we discuss these core issues and how we can team up with your cannabis business to improve the outcome of your management.
We often see founders fall into one of two traps: either they try to do everything themselves, or they delegate too soon to the wrong people. Leadership 3.0 means striking the balance between these extremes. It’s about surrounding yourself with leaders who complement your skill set, not just individuals you trust or feel comfortable with.
Start by asking:
Intentional leadership means being willing to make difficult decisions—sometimes that means restructuring teams, letting go of underperforming leaders, or redefining roles to maximize impact.
As founders and executives, we all have strengths... and we also have blind spots. Leadership isn’t just about what you bring to the table; it’s about ensuring your team has a collective skill set that covers all essential business functions.
Ask yourself:
In our experience, financial strategy is one of the most overlooked critical competencies for mid and small-tier cannabis businesses. Many founders focus on product development and marketing while underestimating the importance of financial statement accuracy, financial planning, tax strategy, and compliance.
This is where we step in—Verdant Strategies ensures that your leadership team is equipped with the financial intelligence necessary to scale effectively and avoid costly missteps.
No leadership team is perfect from day one. One of the most strategic moves you can make as a business owner is to consistently assess where gaps exist and develop a plan to fill them.
Common leadership gaps in cannabis businesses include:
The Verdant Strategies team works with founders to pinpoint these gaps early, helping them bring in the right talent, whether that means hiring full-time executives, engaging fractional leaders, or leveraging external consultants.
Titles mean nothing without results. A candidate to fill a managing position could look good on paper, but lack the agility, strategic thinking, and execution ability to lead effectively. So, how do you determine who your real leaders are—and unseat those who aren’t?
Very well-known indicators of a strong leader :
These characteristics make a good leader in any business, but in current times, particularly in the cannabis industry, we also need to consider the ability to cope with uncertainty and, as Forbes puts it, reframe instability as a potential opportunity.
Conversely, ineffective leaders tend to avoid difficult conversations and decisions, be reactive instead of proactive, prioritize personal status over company success, resist feedback, and fail to adapt to changing circumstances.
Recognizing ineffective leadership early is key. Verdant Strategies helps businesses conduct leadership audits, ensuring the right people are in place, determining the gaps your team might have, and how to fill them in, helping you optimize your staff.
How Far Can Leadership Training Go?
Leadership training can sharpen skills and unlock potential, but it’s not a magic wand—it won’t transform someone unwilling to evolve into a visionary leader. As highlighted by the Society for Human Resource Management, the most effective leadership development programs succeed by refining and amplifying existing strengths rather than forcing a fit where none exists. The Verdant Strategies team supports clients to cultivate true leadership potential, focusing on:
By honing these areas, we ensure your leadership team grows and excels.
Leadership is an ongoing evolution.
At Verdant Strategies, we don’t just help cannabis businesses survive; we help them thrive by ensuring their leadership teams are intentional, well-rounded, and equipped for long-term success.
If you’re ready to take a hard look at your leadership structure and make the changes necessary to drive sustainable growth, we’re here to help.
Because in an industry as complex and competitive as cannabis, the right leadership isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.