“It’s lonely at the top” is a common expression for good reason — for CEOs, it’s especially true. Sure, you’re surrounded by people and if you’re fortunate — good people. But who do you talk to when you need someone with a similar perspective as you?  Family is unlikely to fully understand the intricacies of your industry and might not even know what it is you do all day. Employed friends might throw shade your way saying a version of, “Oh, please tell me how hard it is to be your own boss.” Neither camps truly get the unique pressures you face as a founder. People who haven’t walked in … Continue Reading »

I could tell he didn’t want to sell his company. My client had supposedly called me to talk about selling. But right away, it was clear that something else was going on. You see, his business was doing great—it had grown bigger than he’d ever dreamed. The real problem was he was exhausted. I glanced over at his computer and peeked at his calendar. All-day, every day, he was booked in meetings! On a hunch, I asked him, “What got you into this business in the first place?” He got this far off stare and told me about his love for crafting narratives. That’s what his business does—they … Continue Reading »