Have you ever read the book What to Expect When You’re Expecting (Well if you’ve never been expecting, probably not, but bear with me)? It walks soon-to-be parents through the stages and process of having a baby. Parents who read it recognize that the crazy feelings and nightmares they’re having are not signs of insanity. Everyone has them. They’re normal.
Then there’s Crazy Times, the What to Expect manual on the painful process of divorce. A newly separated, heading to divorce person has the craziest thoughts, does the craziest things, and worries about what’s going on in their heads. Read “Crazy Times,” and you know you’re not alone. You know what to expect. You understand. You calm down.
Where’s the “What to Expect When You’re Changing the World” or “What to Expect When You’re Starting a Company?” How do we know if our feelings are normal or signs that we should check ourselves into an asylum?
Question: When should a founder check-in to an asylum?
Answer: At the moment they decide to start a company.Hahahahahaha, I jest……… kinda….
Here are five things that ring in the heads of most CEOs. We think we’re the only ones with these thoughts. We believe they’re unique doubts. But the truth is if you’re running a company and you haven’t experienced most of these; then you’re probably a zombie who feasts on human brains. You’re not a mere mortal, and CEOs, even the greatest CEOs, are mortal (with the possible exception of Donald Trump (See Note Below), who is a vampire, or Shelden Adelson, who is Jabba the Hut’s brother).
- I’m a Fraud – No great CEO thinks they have the answer, that they’re All That, all the time. You’re probably not a fraud. In fact, if you think you’re Superman and invulnerable, you are more likely to be kidding yourself. If you have doubts about yourself, you’re probably going to be okay.
- Admitting Weakness – If I admit that I screwed up, my team or my board will abandon me. Wrong! So Wrong. You think people don’t know you’re human? People don’t respect leaders who ignore the truth. Humans make mistakes. Great CEOs make more great decisions than mistakes, but they all make mistakes. It is a sign of strength that allows a person to admit they are not perfect. People respect people who are willing to be human.
- The Weight of the World – Everyone looks to me… everyone. My employees, their families, my family, my board, my stockholders, my partners, my vendors are counting on me. I’m overwhelmed. Yup, that’s right. So what? Put on your big boy or girl panties. Start delegating responsibility to your team. Have others help carry the load. Keep moving forward. Next
- Every Decision Must Be Right – Nope! Fear of being wrong is the death of progress. It’s okay to be wrong. Celebrate wrongness. Perfection is the mortal enemy of action. Give your self-permission to F-up and get stuff done. Do not allow fear to paralyze you. Favor action.
- Bad Press – Don’t overreact to bad press. Bad press feels worse when it’s about you. It’s magnified from reality when the light is shining on you. The rest of us forget about it faster than grass goes through a goose. Do a risk assessment. If you can afford it, get outside professional help. At the very least, get dispassionate advice. Don’t spend so much effort that you create so much attention that your bad press stays in the press (examples: Two of my most popular posts of all time got the volume bump thanks to CEOs who overreacted and increased the bad effects of bad press while increasing Google SEO ranking.
So remember, those voices in your head… we all have them. As long as yours is not, as that voice isn’t coming from Sam’s dog, it’s all going to be okay. Most leaders will have these fears. Most have pushed through them. It’s okay. Take a deep breath and move forward.
Regarding the Donald Trump Comment: This post is reprinted from a Mr. Cranky Blog written in 2013. Mr. Cranky had no respect for Donald Trump before it was cool. He was never respected by people who know business, or him as a businessman, and he is not respected by historians as a former president. (See US News and Word Report & The Guardian.)
Books From Glen Hellman
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Intentional Leadership: Unleash your team’s potential. This tactical guide reveals the proven “Leadership Canvas” framework for building, inspiring, and driving high-performance teams. Order now and transform your leadership.
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Cyphers & Sighs: A heart-pounding global thriller where love collides with loyalty amidst a web of high-tech espionage. Every keystroke could betray… every breath could be your last. Order now for an unforgettable adventure.
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Write to Die: When tech blogger Greg Newsome’s words expose a dark secret, he unwittingly becomes a target. Now, he’s racing to protect those he loves in a desperate fight for survival. A gripping tale of danger and redemption.
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Turn Around & Die: Executive coach Greg Newsome takes the helm of a troubled tech giant, only to discover a deadly conspiracy lurking beneath the surface. Plunged into a world of international intrigue, can he save the company… and himself?
- Cross My Heart & Hope to Die: Greg Newsome finds himself caught in a dangerous web of intrigue and revenge. After surviving a brutal attack on his home, Greg embarks on a new assignment for the Santini crime family, where he must navigate the treacherous waters of corporate espionage while trying to rebuild his shattered life.
Link here to find them on Amazon
