My newsletter helps founders like you become the leader you're capable of so you can make the impact you set out to make. Each week I share exceptional essays from around the web, original essays from my desk, and my long-form interview podcast called Good Work -- all centered on reaching your potential as a founder and leader. I'm an executive coach to founders and creators using business to solve hard societal problems - lessons from my coaching work directly fuel the newsletter.
Hey Reader, Happy Saturday! It's official, I have a launch date for the podcast I'm confident in because everything required to launch is complete. You're the first to know that you can now watch or listen to the trailer + subscribe to the podcast on YouTube or in your favorite podcast app. Watch or listen to the trailer and subscribe on your favorite platform below: The trailer isn't groundbreaking, but it will give you a good sense of what the show is about and why I made it. The first three episodes will all drop on April 9th and then I'll publish new episodes weekly. At launch you'll hear:
If you enjoy this newsletter, you will love this podcast. I made it for you. It's made up of deep, thoughtful conversations on making impact at scale, leading with purpose, and living a heart-centered life full of meaningful experiences and relationships. It's the first in a series of essays about what I learned as COO of ConvertKit as we grew from $3M to $30M in annual revenue. You can expect 8-10 essays about lessons learned in my role as COO. I'll combine them into one overview and linked table of contents when the series is complete. Let’s get to it. A quote to make you think from a book worth reading
|
|
Our mutual friend James wrote this beautiful tribute to him after he passed.
Question to consider as you read: What do you hope people will say about you when you're gone? How can you live and lead in more alignment with those hopes starting today?
“This led me to think further about what greatness truly means. I’ve come to learn that it’s not about overnight successes or flashes of excellence, but periods of repeatable habits.”
On the surface, this essay seems obvious for someone who is a founder running an existing business. You're not new to the game... is there really something here to be learned?
I find that I often need reminders of the fundamentals. Because even (especially?) the most experienced people I know often forget the fundamentals.
Question to consider as you read: What do you need to be doing consistently now in order to eventually be the GOAT in your own way?
“You have been forced to enter empty time.
The desire that drove you has relinquished.
There is nothing else to do now but rest
And patiently learn to receive the self
You have forsaken in the race of days.”
John O'Donohue's To Bless the Space Between Us is one of the most wonderful gifts I have ever received (thank you Andy). I read a blessing from the book on most mornings and sit in contemplation for a few moments afterward.
This blessing in particular strikes at the heart of something nearly every leader I know has encountered: that period when you have nothing left to give. If you find yourself exhausted, I hope this blessing provides a moment of reflection and hope.
“I was in a ball gown, I saw the CEO of Uber, Travis Kalanick, sitting at the bar. I was three whiskeys deep at this point and I walked up to him and said, “I use Uber all the time and I absolutely hate the app. I think you should bring me in to fix it. (Elle Luna)”
The opening story to this quick read is a banger. That quote alone should make you want to read it.
And the punch line, of course, is in the title.
Question to consider as you read: What's the thing you know would move your business forward, but you've been shying away from? What's the thing most people won't do that you will now that you've read this?
“These companies operate on the foundational assumptions that adults can grow; that not only is attention to the bottom line and the personal growth of all employees desirable, but the two are interdependent; that both profitability and individual development rely on structures that are built into every aspect of how the company operates; and that people grow through the proper combination of challenge and support, which includes recognizing and transcending their blind spots, limitations, and internal resistance to change."
This is the closest thing I've seen to an organizing thesis on how I believe a great organization should be run from a people and culture perspective.
Business is personal. Human beings with behavioral patterns rooted in experiences from long ago show up to work everyday. You can try to ignore it or you can acknowledge it and use it to fuel even higher levels of performance.
This essay is about embracing the personal. I found it exceptional and will use it to refine my approach from ConvertKit the next time I build a company bigger than me.
Question to consider as you read: What practices and ideas from the essay could you test in your organization? What ideas from the essay did you find yourself resisting or rejecting outright? What does that tell you about your own beliefs and patterns?
Much love and respect,
If you enjoyed this newsletter, forward it to a founder friend. You can also recommend me to a founder or creator as a coach.
A newsletter for founders who want to make impact at scale and become the leader your team needs you to be
My newsletter helps founders like you become the leader you're capable of so you can make the impact you set out to make. Each week I share exceptional essays from around the web, original essays from my desk, and my long-form interview podcast called Good Work -- all centered on reaching your potential as a founder and leader. I'm an executive coach to founders and creators using business to solve hard societal problems - lessons from my coaching work directly fuel the newsletter.
Hey Reader, Happy Sunday! It’s a classic rainy and chilly spring weekend here in Portland and we’ve been enjoying it with pancakes, at the zoo, and with some delicious coffee and tea from our favorite local spots. I normally send this newsletter early on Saturday mornings, but I was exhausted after traveling solo with my son last weekend and two podcast recordings in a shortened week for me. I caught up on some sleep this weekend instead. Thanks for reading on Sunday :). If you missed it,...
Hey Reader, Happy Saturday! Yesterday was my grandfather's 90th birthday and we're celebrating today, which for a variety of reasons means I'm hitting your inbox a few hours later than normal. I'm thinking about interviewing him and recording it for our family's oral history. Hit reply with any great questions you've asked your elders and enjoyed hearing the answer to.Speaking of interviews, my interview with neuroscientist and author Anne-Laure Le Cunff has gotten great reviews. The #1 thing...
Hey Reader, Happy Saturday! What an incredible week. All of you awesome people made it possible for the podcast to hit #15 in the business category and #130 in all of Apple Podcasts. In week one! My friend made me say out loud that I have “A top 25 business show.” I’m taking it under consideration for future use. #15 in business right behind my boy Guy Raz! Thank you so much for your support. My goal is impact, not fame or reach. Still, I know that reach is a key factor for impact because it...