Leading a business is hard. Leading a group of more than 400 businesses? Probably harder.

So, how did Richard Branson manage to do that for so many years and become one of the world’s most recognized entrepreneurs?

He did it by knowing his role – by staying in his lane.

I just finished reading his second autobiography, Finding My Virginity, and that was my biggest takeaway. Branson knew his lane and he was able to stay in it.

“Whenever you are setting up a new project, the most important thing is to surround yourself with people who are better than yourself, have different skills and a healthy combination of enthusiasm and experience.”

Richard Branson, Finding My Virginity

Branson loves taking risks, being the promoter and letting other people take the lead operating the business. That approach allowed him to grow the Virgin Group into a multi-billion dollar collection of businesses in a wide variety of industries.

That ability to let others take the lead comes from Branson’s mindset since he founded the company through today. The “Virgin” name came from his acknowledgement that he was a business novice. And the title, Finding My Virginity, comes from his desire to constantly experience new things and learn from other people.

That is Branson’s superpower. He carries the mindset of a virgin to everything he does. That approach allows him to ask questions, rely on other people who know more than him, and constantly stretch himself and his businesses.

That is such an important lesson for every business leader. Those who think they must have all the right answers severely limit the ideas that will come to the table. And they’ll have a difficult time growing one company, let alone 400.