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! I spent the latter half of this week in Chicago at an event called Tastemaker, the premiere industry conference for food creators. My past work has led me to a fascinating intersection — one where I find myself working with both startup founders and some of the most popular creators in their industries. This always seems paradoxical when I share it with new friends, but I’ve come to embrace the fact that it’s a reflection of both who I am and the work I've done. On Thursday I gave an hour-long talk on making the shift from creator to CEO (which could easily be the shift from founder to CEO) and what it takes to become the leader your team deserves. On Friday, I hosted a workshop in which I did three mini coaching sessions with talented food creators to help them continue to grow their impact. I had a blast and it was a good reminder of why I have always and will continue to love the creator economy. As always, I’m grateful you choose to spend your Saturday morning with me. Let’s get to it. A short essay sparked by my work with founders Last week I talked about the emotional holes founders can fall into after a successful exit of the thing they built. Whether that’s selling a company, hiring a new CEO, or a departure with a good financial return as an exec — I see a common trend that people struggle to find a new sense of identity. Sometimes, often even, that requires a trip down a path of anxiety and/or depression that includes attempting to answer existential questions. This week I promised I’d share how I’ve seen folks dig out of that hole. I’ll admit that I have about five other things I feel compelled to write about this week (lesson learned), but I want to deliver on last week’s promise. Here’s what I’ve seen:
Knowing the options doesn’t solve for the indecision that comes when many options are available to you. And, to be honest, I’m not sure I know what changes when people in the dark hole go from lost to having direction. But I do know that eventually everyone emerges. What I think might be true is that there comes a day when the pain of having no direction is worse than the pain of picking an imperfect direction. And on that day, I believe the decision that happens is: “Maybe there isn’t a best path. So I’ll pick the best one from where I sit right now.” And then they get going and adjust from there. So my hope in sharing these different paths is that if you find yourself in that deep dark hole after achieving the thing you once hoped to achieve — that maybe you can come back to this email, look at your options and decide “today is the day that I’m going to start again, imperfectly, but with purpose.” A quote to make you think from a book worth reading
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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...