The Insanity of Genius by Alexander Lyadov

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in ‘t.

These words from Shakespeare's "Hamlet" resonate with every entrepreneur.

Distinguishing genius from insanity is only possible with time. But until then, the founder's actions may appear to be business suicide.

After all, to create something, one must first destroy something. It requires breaking the mold of thinking within others and oneself.

If the changes are substantial, it feels like a Great Flood. Chaos is an existential threat to the mind, so the source of chaos must be suppressed at any cost.

A disturber of order is labeled a fool or a madman, allowing the life of the community to flow in its usual course. Solitude, incomprehension, and condemnation are the price an entrepreneur must pay for the right to think and create beyond limitations.

When an innovative idea proves successful, the mockers quickly switch their stance from negative to positive. They will attempt to elevate yesterday's "idiot" to the realm of saints.

Founders have a heightened sensitivity to the market's current problem and firmly believe that there is a way to solve it. It's not knowledge, as there is no explicit evidence, but it's not blind faith either because, within themselves, at a visceral level, the solution undeniably exists.

The only thing that prevents entrepreneurs from going mad amidst these contradictions is daily observation of how, through their actions, an empty zero transforms into a fertile one.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
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The Double-Edged Sword by Alexander Lyadov

Every founder and CEO needs to know their superpower.

However, when asked, "Why?" you probably gave the wrong answer.

The first thought is natural: "So I can be more productive."

Sure, it makes sense for an eagle to fly in the sky rather than crawl on the ground.

Personality design determines what comes naturally to us.

But knowing your superpower is important because it is very dangerous for you.

You'll be surprised: "How so? Isn't it a positive part of me?"

The thing is, every phenomenon carries both a positive and a negative sign.

Trying to amplify one polarity activates the other.

Thus, a founder who is open to new ideas risks flying off into space.

A cautious investor ends up with a portfolio of companies with no upside.

And an autonomous CEO eventually hits a glass ceiling.

Therefore, your primary task is to protect yourself from yourself.

It's about balancing the excess/deficiency that a superpower inevitably creates.

Only then a systemic business reinvents itself in time.

The desire for novelty is compensated by a resource that preserves order.

The kite of vision maintains a strong connection with the operational earth.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
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To Take or Not To Take? by Alexander Lyadov

You don’t have to learn the art of negotiation through expensive courses.

Just observe your kids. Like a mountain stream, they know how to bypass any obstacles and eventually achieve their goals.

Seven years ago, our son and daughter started persuading my wife and me to get a dog. Whenever they had a chance, they would bring up the topic. We were adamantly against it, suspecting that we would end up bearing the weight. In a couple of years, our son would want to study abroad. Our daughter was already occupied with school and extracurricular activities all day long.

Furthermore, each of us had already raised a dog in our youth and vividly remembered the tremendous amount of time and effort spent on walking, training, caring, and so on. Yet, the kids continued to plead with us: “Please, please!”

At some point, a magical transformation occurred. Instead of the usual dilemma, “Should we get a dog or not?” we started seeking answers to the questions, “Which breed is better?” and “What name should we choose for it?”.

That was the turning point. The strategic question of “Why?” was replaced by the tactical question of “How?” Instead of confrontation, parents and children united to achieve a common goal. We chose a puppy of the Australian Cattle Dog breed.

Years have passed. Our daughter studies a lot and dances. Our son got into a university abroad. Of course, only my wife and I take care of the dog’s training, health, and walks. Even though we had a hunch that it would be this way, we didn’t immediately accept this fact. But now Umma is our beloved dog, a daring, affectionate, and cheerful member of our family.

This story holds a valuable lesson. In negotiations, it makes sense to apply the same magic. Replace the dilemma of “Should we move forward or stay still?” with the choice of “Which path should we take?”

So when you’re making a proposal to a client or partner, try offering three options instead of just one. Instead of thinking about whether they should work with you or not, they will decide which method (1, 2, or 3) is best for them.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.


Linear vs. Nonlinear Process by Alexander Lyadov

Want to reach your goals faster? Then stop running.

Yeah, it sounds unusual, but don't rush to dismiss this thought.

Acceleration is only appropriate on straight stretches of road.

By the way, that's why there are no speed limits on some highways.

But in business, it is only trainees and managers who have many highways.

The path of a CEO is more like a goat trail through a snowy ridge.

It happened not because a leader seeks dangerous adventures.

Simply put, there are no treasures where tourists wander in crowds.

The maximum potential lies where no human foot has stepped before.

"That's why the discovery of new lands is the prerogative of founders."

Such an expedition is a nonlinear process where speed is secondary.

When the possibilities are limitless, it's foolish to hurry.

If the asphalt ends, it's important to slow down and look around.

An attempt to run (out of linear habit) will end tragically.

But your vigilance and openness to novelty will be generously rewarded.

Your business is currently being reimagined for the next stage of growth.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
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Fix Your Position by Alexander Lyadov

Having gained a favorable position in the battle, there's no need for you to rush.

Let your opponent worry, fuss, and waste his energy in vain.

For now, you can catch your breath while observing the growth of their despair.

In their attempt to break free, your opponent is sure to present you with a gift.

Your task will be to choose which of his vulnerabilities is easier to attack.

In a strong position, the number of alternatives increases exponentially.

When you consciously pause, space and time work in your favor, offering opportunities from good to best.

Why isn't this insight utilized everywhere by everyone?

Following the saying, people rush to forge the iron while it's hot, overlooking the accessible gold and silver within reach.

In the practice of business therapy, I often observe that entrepreneurs fail to fix their acquired position.

All too often, in both business and battles, individuals achieve a great deal only to eventually lose practically everything.

Even if business turnover is growing, the owner does not become richer.

Sooner or later, the question arises: "What's the point of all this?"

There's a risk of burning out, transferring control, or selling off the business.

In reality, all you need to do is regularly take pauses to assess and wisely manage what you already possess.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
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Finder must be found by Alexander Lyadov

I'm often asked where I find illustrations for my posts.

The secret is quite simple—they find me.

I apply the same principle when exploring new cities.

In the morning, I set myself a loose goal, like a museum or a coffee shop.

Then, I wander freely, following my curiosity.

If I stumble upon a charming market, a cozy antique shop, or a quiet church, I linger there for a while.

In this way, I collect experiences that have found me.

The intimate side of the city reveals itself, allowing me to see the beauty that is inaccessible to tourists.

In the process, I undergo a transformation, as this chain of "Wow" moments cuts, adds, or clarifies something within me.

I return home with a rich haul of personal memories.

My process of gathering illustrations follows a similar pattern.

Like a bee, I seek nectar, and the pollen naturally sticks to my body.

All that's left is to delve into my saved archives.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.


Polarities: a struggle or a dance? by Alexander Lyadov

What is more important - discipline or freedom?

Collective or individual? Expansion or control?

In such dilemmas, making a choice once and for all is impossible.

The polarities depend on each other as much as they oppose.

Are you promoting one of them as good? In the end, it will turn into evil.

An excess of collectivism destroys the individual, pushing him into rebellion.

By indulging every whim of the individual, society falls apart at the seams.

Total control grants stability, but without novelty, collapse ensues.

The ultra-high speed of an unguided system is equivalent to zero.

Misunderstanding this dichotomy leads to senseless loss and pain.

People, companies, and countries jump from one extreme to another.

Is there a way out of this vicious cycle at all?

Yes, provided that our minds allow the thought that goes against pride:

Insisting on one thing, we fail to see the fullness of the picture.

In the other polarity, we must find not only the negative but also the positive.

And in our cherished position, acknowledge flaws along with virtues.

Are many willing to turn the laser of analysis inwards rather than outwards?

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.


The Art of Boiling by Alexander Lyadov

As soon as water starts boiling, it doesn't get any hotter.

Further heating simply turns the liquid into vapor.

So once you reach the boiling point, you're wasting energy.

In any endeavor, it's important to know when a phase transition occurs.

At this point, the system parameters change in leaps and bounds.

Sometimes, this fact is hard for a mind seeking linearity in everything to grasp.

Novice: "If I work out three times a day, I'll become stronger."

Coach: "Not at all. Progress will plateau, and injuries will occur."

Some companies continue to invest in an already expanded bottleneck.

But if the sales process is feeble, why pump up lead generation?

Cutting costs won't help if the product has lost its appeal.

Debt shouldn't be sought until the business model is polished.

Knowing "boiling points" ensures a high return on capital.

Founders' principle: "Good enough. But not less."

One could say that entrepreneurship is the art of moderation.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
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Beyond the Obvious by Alexander Lyadov

When the downpour has already begun, there is no point in running.

Because of your speed, you will collect raindrops faster.

However, the risk of slipping and sprawling in a puddle will be much higher.

The time to hurry was earlier, when it seemed, "Could there be a storm?"

Now you can relax and walk around quietly and casually.

Firstly, you stand out advantageously from the bewildered crowd.

Secondly, discomfort subsides when willingly embraced.

Thirdly, you can ponder slowly why this happened.

After all, intuition was right, but you habitually discounted its signal.

Yes, the signs were vague, and yes, the forecast didn't promise rain.

As usual, the mind demanded clear forms and solid evidence.

Well, it got everything, soaked clothes won't let it lie.

Writers, hunters, and entrepreneurs trust their gut.

They know the secret — everything explicit was once implicit.

For them, potential is as real as any physical object.

That's why they react when there seems to be nothing to everyone else.

So what distinguishes a founder from a manager? Trusting the gut.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.


The Curse of Pride in Business by Alexander Lyadov

Many religions agree that pride is the source of all sins.

In business, such terms aren't popular, but the essence remains the same.

A person is convinced that the world revolves solely around him (or her).

Everything and everyone around either threatens or contributes to self-elevation.

As a result, we witness the phenomenon of local optimization.

Company resources are mis-spent, mis-allocated and mis-directed.

The CMO forms alliances and hatches plans to defeat the CFO.

The CEO squanders shareholders' profits on ideological initiatives.

While co-founders bicker, their market share is devoured by the competition.

Business withers when local needs overshadow global goals.

Through pride, a person destroys both his surroundings and eventually himself.

The remedy for pride is humility (not to be confused with self-deprecation).

It's a sincere recognition that there is something greater above you.

A smart manager asks the boss to explain the purpose of an order: "Why?".

Instead of trying to push a product, a salesperson clarifies the customer's needs.

Taking care of the business, a mature founder creates a board of directors.

Personal interests are not in conflict, but are part of a global context.

By "forgetting" oneself, a person attains true security.

Besides, now he is in sync with the system's superpower. A paradox.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
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The Art of Manoeuvring by Alexander Lyadov

My moto gymkhana competition, 2014

How much is the ability to accelerate quickly worth without the ability to brake? Not much, because effective speed equals zero if you crash at the first traffic light.

Yet that's exactly what happens when the market grows steadily for a long time. A whole array of founders and CEOs emerge, having learned only one thing—pressing the gas pedal to the floor.

When it comes to cooling down the market, neither they nor their businesses are prepared. Adjusting the business model, restructuring debt, reducing burn rate—these and other lifesaving actions are not their forte or are decided upon too late.

An experienced biker knows that braking requires a special skill that needs separate training. If you squeeze the rear brake too hard, the motorcycle will skid, and if you hit the front brake, you'll flip over the handlebars headfirst.

Ignorance of the potential of brakes leads to a situation where, when faced with an obstacle, the biker panics, lays the motorcycle on its side, and ends up hitting exactly what they were trying to avoid due to sliding.

However, true mastery is demonstrated when it's necessary to perform a very complex maneuver that requires simultaneous play on all "keys"—gas, brake, and clutch. In motorsport, there is a discipline called gymkhana—a competition for maneuvering through a course with numerous cones at the highest speed. The business equivalent is a prolonged period of high uncertainty when companies can neither move straightforwardly nor come to a stop — it requires non-stop maneuvering.

A company, like a motorcycle in gymkhana, must be "in full stretch," when the leader manages the clash of opposing forces in a way that maintains system stability, deftly navigates dangers, and accelerates when opportunities arise.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.


Deeptrue vs Deepfake by Alexander Lyadov

In the past, people suffered from numerous hardships, dangers, and illnesses. But they didn't have a more terrifying problem than what we have. Their existence was 100% real, while our lives are relentlessly consumed by fake.

Pseudofacts, voice clones, rewriting of history, concept substitution, and so on. Soon only AI will be able to separate the wheat from the chaff, but who will trust its verdict?

No wonder the use of antidepressants in the United States has ​quadrupled​ since 1988. When everything around becomes conditional, the collapse inside a person grows.

I realize that this trend cannot be stopped and it will only continue to escalate. But that's the external world; order in our minds can and should be maintained.

Personally, sports give me hope—jiu-jitsu, walking, and kettlebells. Physical activity cannot be distorted, and it cannot be denied.

Swinging a mace centers the mind better than any antidepressant. Gravity always exerts its influence during a jiu-jitsu scramble. If the news makes your head spin, stand under an icy shower.

Any activity becomes medicine when the consciousness receives direct feedback from the world, without artificial algorithms.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.


The Power of Adaptability by Alexander Lyadov

Give people infinite time, and they'll adapt to anything.

The mind is so flexible that it can eventually digest almost any shock.

But fate throws a challenge and growls, "Change now!"

Thus, the problem lies only in the speed of our transformations.

For some, adaptation will take an hour, while for others, a decade. Why?

Well, some people are more open to novelty based on their psychological type.

Their curiosity overrides paralyzing anxiety.

The question is, what about the rest of us?

Weak adaptability can be compared to an atrophied muscle.

What matters is not its initial strength, but the fact that it exists at all.

Provide a rhythm of exertion and rest, and the volume of muscle fibers will increase.

Creating a rhythm of exertion and rest will increase the volume of muscle fibers.

However, the load must be manageable, and the rest must be complete.

By the way, that's exactly how exposure therapy works for treating severe anxiety disorders (phobias, PTSD, OCD, etc.).

The advantage is that flexibility in one area melts rigidity in others.

Consciously accelerating adaptability is also a form of superpower, isn't it?

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.


Embracing Paradox by Alexander Lyadov

Business is like a bulldog — if it wheezes and snores, it means it's alive.

Worry only when it suddenly becomes too quiet.

Existence implies dynamics, drama, upheaval, and discomfort.

Conversely, an inanimate object is immediately recognizable by its fixed form.

Just like shed snake skin remains static, a fallen leaf doesn't grow.

In other words, life is not a structure but a function or process.

The process is driven by a contradiction that cannot be definitively resolved.

Polarities not only exist; they are intimately intertwined.

Order and chaos, individuality and society, stability and growth, and so on.

A tilt in any direction inevitably triggers a swing back.

So relying on extremes is utopian and characteristic of novices or fanatics.

So, the mature leader doesn't shy away from contradictions but seeks them out.

A leader understands that the secret to a thriving business lies in paradox.

Creative acts take place at the intersection of contradictions.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.


Who is the Author of Your Game? by Alexander Lyadov

Do you have competitors?

If the answer is "yes," then you're a participant in someone else's game.

Therefore, your success depends on the whims of the author.

The one who wrote the rules can change them at any moment.

For example, one day Amazon or LinkedIn may block your account.

But the most important thing is that every game is based on conflict and drama.

Victory and defeat imply a struggle for a limited resource introduced artificially by the author.

Attempting to challenge the limit threatens the existence of the game, and the "rebel" will be harshly punished by the system.

Does this mean that you should give up any game?

Not at all, because engaging in gameplay undoubtedly develops us.

But in addition to the role of a participant, it makes sense to become the author yourself.

By that, I mean creating a new game where the plot unfolds within you, rather than externally.

Here, the protagonist and antagonist are aspects of one's personality.

The rules are designed so that you wake up wanting to play again every morning.

You don't have competitors because your goals, path, and means are unique.

But what about limitations? They certainly exist; otherwise, there won't be any intensity.

As for the prize pool, there is no limit in your game at all.

Everything that holds you back at any given moment is solely you.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.


The Art of Hearing by Alexander Lyadov

To truly hear a person, I must forget about myself.

Otherwise, I'll be waiting for a convenient moment to say something of my own.

Most of the communication between people is not a dialogue but a monologue.

People look each other in the face, but everyone speaks about themselves and with themselves.

I realized this when I was studying the psychotherapeutic method called "Focusing."

That's when I felt the difference between being listened to and being heard.

It turns out, it's a special skill that's not so easy to develop.

Why? You need to set aside your beloved ego, at least for a while.

Over the course of several years, I've learned this, and now during business therapy sessions, I'm present but absent—I'm only the client.

Entrepreneurs note in their reviews: "Alexander possesses the rare patience to listen and the ability to hear," "I appreciate his calmness, sincerity, and listening skills," "Alexander has a unique skill—he listens."

This aspect may not seem crucial to anyone from the outside.

But I know that the root cause of the problem cannot be found otherwise.

"Never attempt to cure what you don't understand," they say in Poland.

The paradox is that you need to be heard by others in order to truly understand yourself.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.


On the Path to Breakthrough by Alexander Lyadov

Chris Park

 

Why is it difficult to make a breakthrough in business or career?

People cannot endure the phase of creative destruction, that is, chaos.

The path to the Garden of Eden lies through hell, symbolically or literally.

It requires willingly diving into frightening uncertainty.

In learning a new skill, it means being a "fool" for a while.

In discovering new lands, it means accepting the chance of getting lost.

In innovation, it means enduring frustration until the "Aha!"

Here, it is impossible to avoid discomfort, boredom, pain, or anxiety.

It's important to understand the meaning of the process and value each phase.

Additionally, the skill of navigating through chaos is necessary, whether you possess it or your guide does.

Also, either you or your guide should be proficient to navigate through chaos.

Finally, you need to have an answer to the question: "What do you want it for?

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.


Focus in the whirlpool of opportunities by Alexander Lyadov

Sometimes the problem is not lack of opportunity, but abundance.

"There are plenty of projects and stress, but no dividends, excitement, or personal space," confesses the entrepreneur. Drought is harmful, but continuous rains are dangerous too. In the whirlpool of tasks, it's easy to drown, wasting energy in vain. And what about business? It reflects the founder's state of being since employees generate a lot of activity, yet in the end, it all turns out to be a fizzle.

The situation resembles scattered beautiful Christmas ornaments everywhere. This magnificence requires a support rod, but the tree isn't there yet. My task is to help the founder find this rod.

The solution is not simply to declare, "You need focus." It is crucial to understand what specific barriers prevent the individual from achieving it. Typically, it is an unconscious false belief. Once the misconception loses its power, the hierarchy of goals and values immediately becomes clear. The founder says, "Ah, I see, my strategic priorities are X, Y, and Z."

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.


The Strategy Session Dilemma by Alexander Lyadov

Marlon Brando on the set of Julius Caesar, 1953

Should you have a strategy session with your team or not?

Many founders and CEOs secretly struggle with this dilemma.

A session is necessary because all parts of the company are clearly out of sync. But judging from past experience, a session is unlikely to be beneficial.

In the end, compromise wins—the pseudo-session at a modest price, without the involvement of the leader, and with entertainment for the team.

The mistaken belief is that the group's problem should be solved within the group.

We need to go back to a moment in the past when there were no employees yet, but the company already existed.

The founder had a vision of what kind of business could be built when the market opportunity forcefully called out, "Take the plunge, it's worth it!"

The future leader had to establish a hierarchy of goals and values within himself because there were many ideas, few resources, and time working against him (her).

Without clarity in mind, the entrepreneur wouldn't have been able to sign the first client, entice a talented employee, negotiate with partners, or raise capital.

In other words, synchronization begins in a single mind.

And only then, in the case of success, does it scale to everyone.

That's why in 99 out of 100 cases, I work with founders one-on-one.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.


”Who are you and what do you do?"
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.


The Evil of Good Intentions by Alexander Lyadov

 

My greatest fear is of naive people with good intentions.

Over millions of years, all primates have developed a sense of smell for malicious intent. However, benevolence overcomes defensive barriers like the Ebola virus.

The infernal blend of empathy and hysteria disorients even the most rational individuals. And the inexperienced are drawn en masse to the promise of virtue, like salmon to spawn.

Their movement resembles a crusade, a sectarian trance, or a witch hunt. The same ecstasy from moral righteousness and readiness to apply force to heretics.

In the event of a successful revolution, cynical scoundrels devour naive fanatics from within. Unfortunately, the scale of this utopia only becomes clear when cities turn to ruins. All social experiments have had a bloody finale—USSR, Cambodia, China, etc.

But what is most striking is that the repetition of tragedy teaches the 'good' people nothing. Without batting an eye, they declare, "The mistake was in the execution, not the idea itself."

Blatant evil is horrifying, but at least it can be noticed and successfully confronted.

More terrifying is the idea of universal harmony, equality, and happiness, gleaming in bulging eyes.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander


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