I want to wish everyone a happy holiday and provide an update on Maverick.
First, I want to address the drop-off in posts over the past few months. Do not worry: I am going nowhere and will continue to share my experiences with the community about the search journey, both the good and the bad. I deeply appreciate everyone’s understanding, as I have needed to attend to things that require my full attention. Thank you for your continued support of the newsletter.
As we head into 2024, there may be a less rhythmic cadence to my posts, but I am feeling more energized than ever about the opportunity to share my experiences in the future. This mini-sabbatical from writing Maverick posts has been filled with lessons that I believe will exceed the value of my previous posts combined. As a writer still battling considerable imposter syndrome in this new arena, I need to scrutinize certain topics internally and gain more direct experience before I can confidently address them. Thankfully, I am approaching that stage right now.
As I look back on the year, I’d describe 2023 as my year of observation.
In fact, this recent bout of writer’s block was likely driven by a burning desire to take in more than to spew out. No amount of information has seemingly quenched the curiosity, no matter the medium or format. But what I observed this year was deeply troubling yet equally inspiring.
No matter how progressive or conservative your values are, it’s safe to say that this year was full of events that likely ruffled some (if not all) of your feathers. My biggest concern has been the unwillingness of people to ask many basic questions about ourselves and society. And for those courageous few who do question the status quo, why are they so quickly diminished and censored from the discussion? One could go on for ages about what to hate about the position we are in now – certainly, I could – but where is that going to take us?
While acknowledging these troubling trends, I’ve been inspired more by many advancements in the past year. Yes, it’s easy to point to AI and the positive transformational impact it is set to have on daily work and life, but there’s much more to be optimistic about. For the first time in decades, we appear to be operating in a new economic normal where there’s an increasingly healthy amount of skepticism about consumption and production. I’m also witnessing others place more emphasis on family and relationships, physical and mental health, and experiencing other cultures. These are all great despite what both sides of the aisle try to tell you.
I cannot help but see many parallels in the outside world to my personal experience as a freshly minted entrepreneur.
On one hand, days without visible progress often leave me questioning the meaning and purpose of my work. “Why am I really doing this?” I’ve asked myself on one of those many sleepless nights. Conversations with advisors often feel superficial and self-interested. Similarly, dialogues with sellers are fraught with doubts and questions, eroding my conviction. This results in a distorted view of the truth with considerable difficulty for the searcher to make informed decisions, forcing the entrepreneur to make tough judgement call after judgement call.
On the other, the trials and tribulations of the search simply provide a preview of what’s to come in an entrepreneur’s journey in their pursuit of leadership. The challenges cannot be seen as detractors but as lessons in refining your values and building resilience more broadly. This is the opportunity to look yourself in the mirror and build upon your strengths, become aware of your weaknesses, and prioritize what’s most important to you in life. This is the opportunity to craft your vision of what it means to build a great team for people who get to do meaningful work. This is the opportunity to make your future and past selves proud of your efforts, regardless of the outcome.
Through the lens of these experiences, both personal and observed, my evolution into leadership has become more pronounced. Leadership, to me, involves not just guiding others or making difficult decisions. It's about embodying a set of values that resonate not just in the board room but also in every aspect of our lives. Authenticity, openness, proactivity, curiosity, balance, courage, intuition, and the ability to help - these are not just words but the very pillars upon which true leadership stands.
As I step into 2024, I recognize that being a leader means being perpetually open to learning, adapting, and growing. It's about embracing the unknown with courage, balancing ambition with empathy, and remaining curious about the world and its diverse perspectives. More than anything, it's about being authentic in your pursuit, intuitive in your decision-making, and proactive in creating change, not just in business but in every facet of life. My journey exemplifies these principles. As I navigate entrepreneurship's uncharted waters, my commitment to leading by example and inspiring others through action has never been stronger.
Leadership, to me, is a continuous journey of self-discovery, growth, and impact. It's about being a maverick in your own right, challenging the status quo, while remaining grounded in the principles that define you as a person. It’s also about bringing together a team of passionate individuals, each contributing uniquely towards a shared vision. Here's to a new year of learning, leading, and living a life that not only seeks success but strives to make a meaningful difference in the world.