Master Your Kingdom /  by Alexander Lyadov

Scaling is a big temptation for an entrepreneur. It seems like you just need to pour more resources into the company.

But investments, like lenses, magnify not only its strengths but also its weaknesses. So, all the horsepower of a "Ferrari" turns into a curse if a novice sits behind the wheel.

For instance, glitches emerge when expanding the team. While the business is small, the owner compensates for the flaws in the business model with his (or her) own resources. Unfortunately, hired workers aren't inclined to go the extra mile like him. The more of them, the more the company wobbles.

In such cases, I advise clients to go back to basics. Together, we recall how this business first emerged. If you can ask and listen, you unveil its "DNA." What the founder dreamt of and how he or she created value points to the ideal that has dimmed over time.

You need to separate the signal from the noise. Then understand how to preserve it and manage it. Only then can you truly start scaling your business. Remember: control first, then growth.

"You must be the Master of your own Kingdom," ​said​ director Guy Ritchie. History has examples where a king found himself in exile and had to prove his right to the crown again.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you feel like the owner of your kingdom?

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Your Business North Star /  by Alexander Lyadov

Many founders experience a moment of disorientation:

  • Employees add to problems instead of solving them,

  • Revenue is up, but profit remains elusive,

  • Hiring someone to fix it all is tempting,

  • Day-to-day grind consumes all attention,

  • Passion and strategic projects take a backseat,

  • The founder feels the drift, and so on.

In those situations, I often share a metaphor with clients. Take jiu-jitsu, for example, with its empirical wisdom. Imagine you're tangled in the chaos of a match, feeling lost. What to do? Straighten up and look up. Immediately, a reliable axis emerges.

In business, customer orientation serves as that axis. Remember how it all began. It was just you and your first customer. You were hungry, energetic, ready to solve their problem – not the one they described, but the real one.

As you succeeded, the customer returned, praised you, and recommended you to others. Meanwhile, you sought tools to make your value skyrocket in their eyes. Thus came the team, contractors, procedures, and systems.

Everything seemed fine, but at some point, the company forgot why it existed. Every product, department, or employee acted like the center of the universe. The business stopped being for the customers; it started closing in on itself. A closed system collapses, and people lose their minds. No wonder the founder feels bad at that moment.

What's the way out?

Face the customers—your business will improve on its own.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Creating Myself /  by Alexander Lyadov

There are many areas of knowledge where I'm completely clueless.

Yet, globally, no one pulls off what I do.

Does it sound cocky? Not at all.

To grab my skills, one needs to follow my odd journey:

  • Chemist-analyst

  • Advertising man

  • Entrepreneur

  • Wealth manager

  • Venture capitalist

  • Business therapist...

I've switched professional IDs more than once. But beyond biz, I've gathered diverse experiences—be it creativity, travel, or sports.

Every time, I plunged headfirst into a new activity. Genuine curiosity guided me. That's why learning happened very fast.

Couldn't predict every twist, but now, looking back, "connecting the dots" is easy. By exploring different disciplines, I was essentially exploring myself.

For my current passion, none of the existing names suited. That's why I had to make it up. A business therapist is a synthesis of a peculiar mix of ingredients. But each of them was essential.

What was your journey like to get to where you are now?

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Flames of Transformation /  by Alexander Lyadov

What's the value of your ideas and products for customers? A savvy entrepreneur recently reminded me of the value of mine.

According to her, it's my thirst for the work of entrepreneurs who make daily decisions "on the edge of the abyss." This interest gives me a deeper understanding of their goals, needs, and context.

Indeed, the phenomenon of entrepreneurship intrigues me like fire did to primitive humans. I'm eager to grasp its nature. It radiates a power capable of transforming everything.

It transforms mundane lead into gold, in alchemical terms. People will call it a "unique opportunity" later on. For now, the founder picks up "useless" things lying on the ground.

Yet, in alchemy, both external and internal processes mattered. By solving the mysteries of matter, man himself has been transformed. The fire melts both iron and the blacksmith.

Somehow I see this flame in entrepreneurs. Its energy charges me with realistic optimism. As long as these wonderful people are among us, we'll tame absobloodylutely any chaos.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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The One Who Creates /  by Alexander Lyadov

Building a business is a lot like writing an article.

The most difficult thing is to weave a text pattern from the threads of the void. This stage is unpredictable; sheer willpower or technique won't snatch it. Sometimes inspiration comes instantly, and other times it takes hours of struggling.

You must connect with something beyond your control. The more unique your final product, the more this metaphysical force gets involved. You are merely a tool in its hands.

Yet, once the rough draft is ready, a different task begins. For analysis and revisions, you need logic, procedure, and algorithms.

The editing, publishing, and distribution stage is crucial too. But it's technical and predictable. Anyone can be taught to do it.

That's why there are always fewer entrepreneurs and writers than managers and editors. We should recognize and respect this hierarchy. No matter how strange, unpredictable, and arduous the creative phase may be, it makes everything we have today.

Fortunately, creators cannot not create. It's also the only thing they'll do full time. So, administrators, financiers, and marketers are as essential to a creator as air. Thus, an alliance forms, transforming the world.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Magic Moves /  by Alexander Lyadov

There's no other way to describe it—​pure magic​.

Imagine a wizard proposing a deal: "Want to slash the chances of cardiovascular-related death by ​50%​ and cancer-related death by 40%?" You're excited and ask, "But what's the catch?" The wizard reassures you: "Just 9 minutes of exercise a day."

For instance, right now, stand up from your desk and do 20-30 squats, jumps, or "burpees" for a few minutes. In the city, take the stairs instead of the elevator, jog instead of walking, or have a call with a client on the go.

Exercise snacks tackle modern problems.

First, ditch the guilt of long desk hours. A quick exercise snack speeds up your heartbeat, gets your blood pumping, and lets you break a tiny sweat.

Second, no need for fancy gear or a gym membership.

Third, anyone can spare a few minutes a day.

Seems like a good deal to me. What do you think?

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Embrace the Suck /  by Alexander Lyadov

 

"Discipline is doing what you hate to do, but do it like you love it." ​Tyson's words ​resonate with every athlete striving for lofty goals.

Your personality has many parts. Sometimes they want different things. One is already tired upon waking, desiring to laze in bed with a book all day. Another dreams of becoming a champion, but right away, not after several years. The third quietly packs a gym bag.

Sometimes, those parts can block each other, entering a deadlock. Then you can't move at all. You can suppress any part with violence, but only once. Later, that part will go underground and take revenge on you.

It's wiser to introduce a new law that makes sense for all parts of your personality, even if in the long run. The idea of preserving life is close and understandable to everyone. Then, make the law a habit through repeated ritual. Example: Physical activity can be anything but sweaty and daily.

However, the highest skill is transforming poison into medicine. As American Navy Seals motivate themselves: "Embrace the suck." Sincerely love what you hate the most. For me, it's:

  • Leg workouts,

  • Doing static exercises,

  • Morning jiu-jitsu bouts,

  • Immersing in an icy bath,

  • Repeating actions multiple times,

  • Being stuck in a vulnerable position,

  • Feeling like a "fool" in a new area, and so on.

Tyson's turnaround from hate to love is complex. But every time you manage it, the feeling of super strength inside you grows.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Gotta Ride It Out /  by Alexander Lyadov

There were times when things got tough in our PE/VC investment fund:

  • After getting the money, the founder failed to keep his promises.

  • Losing projects to us, rivals played dirty with criminal ties.

  • We parted ways with our fund CFO, and we still haven't found a replacement.


During those times, my business partner always repeated his signature line:

"Just gotta ride it out."

I found that perspective irritating, but in the end, he was right.

No one threw in the towel. Instead, we rolled up our sleeves and worked round the clock for a while, enduring the sharp discomfort. But sooner or later, the wave of problems always subsided.

A friend who's into surfing also told me that when you fall off the board, don't panic—stay composed. The goal is to stretch your oxygen supply and avoid smashing your head. Eventually, the wave weakens, and it lets go. Then you'll know which way to resurface.

Some problems have this quirk: time beats them. Like engaging in a grapple with an aggressive bodybuilder, endure his push for 2-3 minutes. After that, he slackens, and you can submit him.

In this sense, if you do everything in your power, time is on your side.

Be patient.

Just gotta ride it out.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Turn Adversity into Triumph /  by Alexander Lyadov

Falling into water, a person starts sinking.

Tripping, you begin to fall.

When an adversary tightens my throat, I gasp and want to tap.

In every case, some dark force tries to harm the victim.

There appears to be no other interpretation. Right?

In reality, the situation is as you see it.

And your perception depends on your (often hidden) beliefs.

You've gathered them throughout your life: family, books, and experiences.

Beliefs can impose limitations and distort what you see.

Fortunately, by reevaluating our beliefs, we see a different world.

Turns out, we can rely on the density of water to swim. Without its resistance, strokes, and pushes would be impossible.

Mastering the skill of micro-falls, a kid will confidently walk. 'Destructive' gravity will help him achieve any goal.

By squeezing my throat, my jiujitsu opponent got stuck and became rigid, hence vulnerable. I put my feet against him, flipped him over, and won.

Thus, the choice of 'good or harm?' is within us, not somewhere else.

To paraphrase Goethe, our aim is to turn that power that eternally wills evil to eternally do good.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Own Your Experience /  by Alexander Lyadov

Underneath me, the pines rustled and swayed. Ahead, an endless horizon stretched out. My body turned cottony, and my stomach knotted up. A thought spun in my head: "One step separates me from..." It felt like in a few moments I'd be ready to bungee jump.

Suddenly, someone nearby shouted, "Ready?" and without waiting for my answer, commanded, "Five... four... three... two... one... Go!" My mind had time to protest, but my body had already taken the leap into the void.

Later, friends congratulated me, but I was really mad. Maybe the bungee staff wanted to help, have fun, or just go home. Unfortunately, they stole my jump.

So, the next morning, I went back and leaped again. This time, I warned them that I'd be up there as long as I needed. When the moment arrived, I confidently jumped. With every fiber, I felt freedom, meaning, and joy. This experience was 100% mine.

Over 22 years have passed since then, but I remember that lesson. It's easy to succumb to threats or temptations and do what someone (external or internal) wants you to do. Yes, formally, you'll achieve and gain accolades. But can you honestly say you did it? And if not, whose life are you living—yours or someone else's?

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Freedom Battle Within /  by Alexander Lyadov

For freedom, one must fight. Even within oneself. There's so much to do, commitments pulling you every which way.

Seems like gaining freedom once and for all is impossible. Our minds are stuck in these fragile bodies, existing in a chaotic world. But beyond the body, there are personal aspects demanding, "Why hesitate?! Dive into X! Why haven't you done Y yet?"

Give them a chance, and internal critics will nag you to a pulse loss. These voices seem like they belong to a paranoid, a wicked teacher, or a stuck algorithm. Their demands have a meaning for them, but love for you is absent. In 99 out of 100 cases, their screams and whines are useless.

No, it's not conscience. The latter usually whispers faintly, gazes meaningfully, or stays silent, blushing. Compared to the critics, conscience is easier to ignore or drown out.

To stay sane and not burn out, find a way to shut your critics up, slam the door in their faces, and put up a sign saying, "We're closed." For instance, my critics are speechless when:

  • I'm in an ice bath,

  • I'm doing jiu-jitsu,

  • I'm helping a client,

  • I'm writing an article,

  • I feel connected to the person I am talking to.

That is, whenever I'm nowhere else but in the present.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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”Who are you and what do you do?"
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Secret Knowledge /  by Alexander Lyadov

All we know today are not truths but merely models.

We use them because:

  1. They are helpful,

  2. We're all used to them,

  3. We haven't got anything better yet.

A map, like any model, is a limited representation of the terrain. Sure, you can navigate by it, but no smells, traps, or snakes.

Question: Do you know the limitations of a particular model? Often, that answer decides loss or victory, life or death.

Everyone is eager to teach you their models. But seldom does anyone specify that this is by no means a dogma and that there are exceptions 1, 2, and 3.

That's why an educated person sometimes turns out more vulnerable than a novice. The illusion of knowledge makes them careless.

It is your responsibility to learn when Model X is no longer useful, akin to conceiving a child or packing a parachute.

The bonus is that such knowledge can be considered secret because:

  • It gives you an invisible lever,

  • Where others see a hardship, you see an opportunity,

  • What horrifies others fills your heart with hope.

"The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions," said the American physician, poet, and writer Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

But, you and I won't wait for old age to become wiser, will we?

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Your Ego or Your Life? /  by Alexander Lyadov

Life gets a whole lot simpler when the stakes are sky-high. The brink of disaster makes us value function over form.

Whether it's a sinking ship, an earthquake, or a fire, the essence remains the same:

Survival comes first; the rest can wait.

So, in chaos, the real MVP is the one who:

  1. keeps their cool,

  2. knows what to do,

  3. gives clear-cut orders.

But what's with you? Bothered by a commanding tone? Cringing at the roughness of the words? Itching to protest? Longing for more respect?

Alas, it means you haven't quite grasped the predicament you're in.

Otherwise, you'd willingly turn a blind eye to trivial matters:

  • Politeness is optional for a mountain rescuer.

  • Exterior is secondary for a guard dog.

  • A cardio surgeon can be an atheist or a Seventh-day Adventist.

  • A person gasping for air will take oxygen in any form.

Extreme situations test our maturity. Reality forces the proud to make a tough choice: Your Ego or Your Life.

The Wolf : Boys, get to work.

Vincent : A please would be nice.

The Wolf : Get it straight buster - I'm not here to say please, I'm here to tell you what to do and if self-preservation is an instinct you possess you'd better fucking do it and do it quick. I'm here to help - if my help's not appreciated then lotsa luck, gentlemen.

Vincent : I don't mean any disrespect, I just don't like people barking orders at me.

The Wolf : If I'm curt with you it's because time is a factor. I think fast, I talk fast and I need you guys to act fast if you wanna get out of this. So, pretty please... with sugar on top. Clean the fucking car.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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

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Cure for Envy /  by Alexander Lyadov

"The world is not driven by greed, it’s driven by envy" said Warren Buffett's partner, Charles Munger. The investment world is "blessed" with both.

We notice in others not everything, just what we lack. Someone else's success painfully mirrors our own shortcomings. But it starts with an internal sense of lacking something. "I desperately need X. Why don't I have it yet?!" we protest. And more often than not, it's about the imaginary things, not a shortage of Vitamin D.

Maybe it all began with Cain, who killed his brother out of envy. Cain resented God for accepting Abel's sacrifice, not his own. Cain was convinced he knew better. That's pride. Narcissism, a therapist would say.

A belief in one's uniqueness is a crucial milestone in a child's development. But when a personality can't outgrow this stage, it becomes a source of suffering and "bad luck".

Of course, the best treatment for a sky-high ego is injections. Reality will constantly frustrate, castrate and deprive the narcissist, of what he holds most dear. This upbringing persists until their personality matures (or dies). By the way, there's a bit of narcissism in each of us.

I have noticed: There is no envy at the moment of your realization. For example, when solving a challenging problem that holds deep meaning for you and benefits others. Such activity is a reward in itself. At that moment, gratitude to fate runs deep.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Hunting Procrastination /  by Alexander Lyadov

The best cure for procrastination? Cave painting.

Sounds weird? Let me explain.

Anthropologist Henri Breuil believed that cave paintings were part of "hunting magic" rituals meant to bring luck in the hunt. The oldest one dates back 45,500 years.

Imagine the doubts and fears of our primitive ancestors before hunting dangerous beasts. No firearms, no radio, no antibiotics. Hungry children on one side, possible death on the other. Anyone would become a procrastinator, right?

But if you draw your fear on the wall and spear it with force, you transform somehow. Symbolically, a psychological barrier is overcome. The beast might still lurk in the grass, but the unseen flint tip has already pierced its skin.

So, when a daunting or unpleasant task looms over me, I remind myself: "Take a symbolic step." It may be small, but it gets you closer to your goal. And be honest with yourself that mini-steps are enough this time:

  • Open the computer and load all the correspondence into your brain.

  • Visualize the balance of power across the negotiating table.

  • Make a clarifying call, and so on.

You'll be surprised how "hunting magic" works even today.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Kabuki Theater /  by Alexander Lyadov

"Sasha, where's the money?!" yelled the Forbes Top 100 businessman at me.

This was over 20 years ago, in his fancy office.

I stayed calm, looking at him with a cool smile.

Why?

This show happened every year. I led an ad agency, and he was our big client. We built a vibrant brand from scratch for him. Product sales shot up, even though ad spending was modest.

Back then, I was searching for a compensation plan that aligned both our interests. So, I took a risk and suggested tying part of our remuneration to the new brand's sales.

With that motivation and a tough challenge, our team made a creative breakthrough. The new brand gained a significant market share. The only thing I didn't consider was the client's mindset. He grew up in an environment where value was forged through 'tough negotiations' instead of creative collaboration.

At the year-end, we had to confirm the bonus amount and terms for the next year. So, he would send me an invitation to his 'Kabuki Theatre.'

He acted outraged about distribution speeds, nitpicked technical details, and complained about high overheads (which I couldn't verify). In short, he tried to convince me that, yes, sales were growing, but there were no profits, so the bonus had to be cut.

The first time, I was shocked by the unfairness of his claims. But then I grasped his approach and started acting differently. I needed to calmly withstand his pressure, like a lighthouse in a storm. Seeing the futility of his 'game,' he eventually backed down. Now we could make a deal. By the way, his respect for me grew each time.

I call this winning strategy 'Fur outside, steel inside.'

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Lost, Found, Freed /  by Alexander Lyadov

My buddy shared how he lost his home in the first month of the war.

It was his place of strength, safety, and comfort.

He poured a lot of love, time, and money into crafting that house.

And then, bam! Such a loss. Total reset, emptiness, and vulnerability.

Of course, his spirit was crushed, and the mood was gloomy.

But then, in his mind, there was a sharp turnaround.

Suddenly, he felt... absolutely free.

The new state was both exhilarating and heady.

Nothing tied him down anymore; he became light as a feather.

The range of options available to him grew at an exponential rate.

He lost something more important than a house.

But he gained something more valuable than walls and land.

What? He transformed as a person.

By the way, the story continues.

On his return to what he thought were ruins, his home was almost intact.

But he'll never ever forget the thrill of freedom.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Myth of Stability /  by Alexander Lyadov

What's a salaried job like in today's business world?

a) You work in comfy spaces.
b) Use a set of efficient tools.
c) Tackle straightforward tasks.
d) Hit the goals set by the bosses.
e) Know what your colleagues are up to.

It's like being a ship mechanic - life isn't easy but is clear.

Then, one day you reach the top and take the helm as CEO. Wide horizons unfold before your eyes, but there's also this feeling of fear.

Turns out, simplicity, clarity, and stability are illusions, a myth. Around you, a wild ocean ready to crush your ship in an instant.

No one, not the board, team, or consultants, knows how to navigate. Everyone looks at you, expecting you to be the guide in all this chaos. But where do you find support?

Crises and loneliness create the heat and pressure of an autoclave. You either burn out or transform completely.

Now, your support isn't coming from a smart boss, expert advice, or the usual way things are done. You’re confident YOU can turn any disaster into a blessing.

And guess what? Starting your own business is just one step away.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Human Tree /  by Alexander Lyadov

Witnesses say we grappled so hard, the walls shook.

At the end, my jiu-jitsu opponent asked, "How old are you?"

Taking a moment, I replied, "51."

He gasped, "Wow! '72? Just like my dad. I'm 29."

I get his surprise in my head, but my heart doesn't feel it.

Inside, the concept of age is foreign to me.

Or, rather I'm simultaneously 20, 50, and 80:

  • As curious, open, and naive as a university student.

  • A balanced understanding of self, people, and the world, fitting 50.

  • A part of me has traded in the ninth decade and seen it all.

What if people are more like trees than we realize?

Maturity doesn't replace youth; it adds like yearly rings.

This would explain why elders insist, "Inside, I'm still young."

There's also a phenomenon where a child is born with an old soul.

As for the body, it serves as long as you need it.

Stay in the office all day, and at 30, muscles shrink.

But grab a kettlebell, and your strength grows at any age.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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”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.

Writing the Poem of Life /  by Alexander Lyadov

I hate problems and love them at the same time.

They fascinate me as a phenomenon impossible to fully grasp.

Without problems, we'd have to invent them.

And that's what happens when there's too much safety and comfort.

Maslow was wrong; self-actualization and creativity don't happen.

No, people immediately begin to tear down everything, everyone and themselves.

I explain it by the fact that a person can't live without meaning.

Unfortunately, only a few can independently seek it.

And problems? They're a reliable way to inject some meaning.

Attempting to survive is, in fact, answering the question: 'For what?'

Sounds a bit hopeless, doesn't it?

We solve one problem and unconsciously pick up another.

They seem to happen to us, and we call it an unfortunate fate.

The way out is to change your attitude to the inevitable.

No problems, no life? Okay, then I'll choose the ones I fancy.

Seizing the initiative, you turn problems into your poems.

Sincerely yours,

-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.