Saving Simplicity / December 18, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

The more chaos around, the sharper the need for simplicity. Examples include natural disasters, fires, or wars. The "What to do?" guide should be crystal clear.

Even making a move like "E2-E4" becomes tough when your mind is drowning in adrenaline. On the flip side, nonsense easily multiplies in safety and prosperity.

It's surprising how many bad decisions managers can hide behind super margins. Natural monopoly or a founder's patent creates a resilience that later generations can't break.

Of course, this holiday won't last forever. So, wise founders willingly limit themselves. They consciously create healthy tension in the company when the rest of the team wants to rest on their laurels.

For instance, they set new super-ambitious goals, withdraw excess money from corporate accounts, and introduce a target return rate for all investment projects.

In doing so, founders move the company to the "cutting edge." It's the border where "terra incognita" unfolds. Taking a voluntary step into chaos sharply raises the stakes. The only chance to survive here is to be clear-thinking, healthy, and strong.

In this way, necessary simplicity inside comes to answer complexity outside.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Beyond Instincts / December 17, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

The documentary film "Chimp Empire" on Netflix is filled with insights. The authors managed to create the effect of your presence in the pack.

Whether the animals were full of trust or simply didn't care about humans, the quality, angles, and intimacy of the footage are beyond praise.

The most astonishing part is our resemblance to chimpanzees.
We share common traits, such as:
- Learning survival skills,
- Craving acceptance in society,
- Climbing to the top of the hierarchy,
- Protecting and expanding our territory,
- Forming alliances in the struggle for power,
- Strengthening trust through caring for each other,
- Tearing apart those we consider outsiders, and so on.

Instead of grooming for fleas, humans use gossip. And for killing, it's technological weapons instead of bare hands.

The only thing that sets us apart is the ability to choose.

Behaving like an animal is instinctive, familiar, and straightforward. Millions of years have carved deep neural pathways in our brains.

However, we possess the capacity to act differently if we so choose.

It's a realm not of survival instinct and calculated advantage but of paradoxical spirit. The same spirit that overcomes the restless mind and fragile flesh.

Life offers us this choice many times every day. As the Austrian zoologist and zoopsychologist Konrad Lorenz said, "I have found the missing link between the higher ape and civilized man; it is we."

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Your Roots and Crown / December 16, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Trees strive to maintain a balance between their roots and crowns.

So, if groundwater kills some roots, the crown shrinks.

Imagine you like the 'beauty' of fruits, but the 'dirt' of roots repels you.

Then try to eliminate the 'evil' that lurks underground.

Your intentions are good, but alas, you no longer have the tree.

Conclusion: we must be careful not to disturb the invisible balance.

But what's said is true for individuals, meaning you and me.

Inside us, there's what we adore and what we despise.

Of course, we try to deny, distort, and repress the latter.

This struggle not only lacks sense but also harms us a lot.

Instead of Light vs. Darkness, it's Crown vs. Roots.

But if something exists, it means it has a certain function.

True, in our ignorance, we don't even entertain this thought.

And what if, out of scientific curiosity, we change our strategy?

The goal is to study the nature, function, and habits of this 'evil.'

You might be surprised:

Underground holds your backup fuel tank.
The detested part of your personality sometimes saves you.
Self-exploration is not a diminishment, it is an enrichment.

"No tree, it is said, can grow to heaven unless its roots reach down to hell," said the wise psychiatrist Carl Jung.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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When Good Ideas Go Bad / December 15, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

“Social Engineering – The art of replacing what works with what sounds good,” said Thomas Sowell, an American economist, and social philosopher.

An example of his words is the now-popular woke culture in the West. At first glance, all initiatives to “improve society” seem to be motivated by compassion. They appeal to those with a caring heart. Unfortunately, each attempt either ends up going nowhere or destroys the little that has served as a foundation for society.

Elevated to the rank of absolute, any good idea becomes pathological, transforming into its opposite—evil. This happens every time an idea (concept, law) overshadows a living person. “People don’t have ideas. Ideas have people,” wisely noted Carl Jung.

A vivid illustration of this is found in the Bible. Christ repeatedly admonishes the Pharisees: “The Sabbath is for man, not man for the Sabbath” or “Which one of you, having one sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?”

In business, the substitution of what works with what sounds good happens every time a company indulges in a period of rapid growth. Drunk on success, founders suddenly get captivated by ideas like “Making employees happy” and “Improving the world.” For this: - The HR department is expanded, - Training with benevolent names is conducted, - And new KPIs are introduced, leaving the team confused.

It’s hard not to notice the suicidal nature of this step. Whether it’s society, a company, or an individual, at the peak of prosperity, they suddenly begin to self-destruct. Perhaps that’s why many wisemen agree that true life is not about hedonism but asceticism. So it’s easier to truly be, not just seem.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Which Path to Take? / December 14, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Some say the key to life is finding what you love. Everything else is secondary and falls into place later, they say.

Others caution, "No, often that's a path to nowhere." It's better, they argue, to become a pro and make decent money.

The reality itself contradicts the first group. Some folks realize their affinity for Activity X not right away, but only over time. Or, having embarked on their "dream pursuit," they suddenly feel disappointed.

The opposite advice is only good for super-conscientious people who are open to immersing themselves in any pursuit. For the majority, it's a path to mediocrity, not Olympus.

To simplify, the first group maximizes pleasure, while the second group maximizes stability. There is an immediate conflict between the two.

In my view, they're all putting the cart before the horse.

There's a meta-goal that stands above them.

It's personal meaning.

A person senses it directly in the body, like an unexplainable pull, a vague signal, or a strange curiosity about Phenomenon X.

Such interest can't be rented or faked. Like laughter or a hiccup, it just arises within you.

You can ignore the pull towards X, but it's challenging. Your subconscious will regularly remind you: "Oh, by the way..." in various circumstances, events, and, of course, dreams.

If you decide, "Okay, I'll try this X," you probably won't experience bliss. On the contrary, discomfort will persist for a long time. But if the inner pull is there, you'll bear these burdens anyway.

Why? Personal meaning redeems much, if not everything.

The paradox is that developing meaning produces by-products - your relevance, your confidence, and the joy of skill growth.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Victorious CEO / December 13, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

American historian Stephen Kotkin once said in an interview that winning in a war of attrition happens in two ways: breaking the enemy's will to fight or their capacity to fight.

For a country, an example of the first is a change in leadership resulting from a coup, and an example of the second is the destruction of factories producing ammunition.

This idea applies to both companies and individuals. That's why Muhammad Ali would get into the opponent's head before the match even started. And Mike Tyson, during a staredown, could already foresee his victory.

When the stakes are high, even a slight disorientation, confusion, or indecision can lead to a catastrophe. Whether it's trading on the stock market, climbing an eight-thousander, or landing on the moon.

But besides willpower, the ability to fight is equally crucial. Jiu-jitsu coach John Danaher advises applying relentless pressure on the opponent throughout the match. The ideal is to use gravity, fatiguing the opponent below while catching your breath.

In business, much attention is given to the second aspect: expanding the team, acquiring sophisticated tools, absorbing promising startups, etc. It makes sense - the increase in capability is tangible.

The first aspect is often ignored because it's intangible and complex. CEOs find it easier to convince themselves: "Vision is obvious. Goals are clear to everyone. The team is solid. Top managers are motivated and aligned." Unfortunately, when hit by reality, the company suddenly falls on canvas.

If you're a founder or CEO, here's a hint. The team's readiness to fight heavily depends on your will. And that, in turn, depends on your honest answer to the question: "For what?".

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Test of Time / December 12, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Certainly, in business, instant feedback is crucial. It helps fix mistakes and amplify strengths.

But sometimes, delayed feedback over many years is worth more. For time filters out the superfluous and crystallizes the essential.

Example: A former colleague wrote in a LinkedIn comment:

"Disregarding the industry, you have always been a great example of a people manager to me. After almost 20 years in my career, I can confirm this word by word. I wish you were managing people further."

I warmly remember our time working together. The struggle to find talented and unconventional team members. The selection of bold and ambitious clients. Safeguarding an atmosphere where creating Wow-products felt natural. Encouraging extra efforts for results. Not hesitating to spend company money on books, gifts, unique parties, and birthday celebrations.

But I also recall my doubts: "What if this isn't important or needed by anyone? What if I'm doing all of this in vain?" After all, it wasn't about buying office supplies but intangible things.

Though I often made mistakes, globally, I turned out to be right. Yes, we created groundbreaking projects back then. But more importantly, the experience of co-creation transformed each of us. That's unforgettable.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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16 Angry Men / December 11, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Sixteen strangers stared at me in tense anticipation. I got invited to moderate a strategic session. In reality, there was a brewing conflict within the company. But no one dared to label it as such. De facto, I became a business mediator.

Conflict is an extremely unstable thing. The more people involved, the higher the chance of an explosion. So agreeing to this project may sound like madness or adventure.

In my defense, other moderators declined. However, there was something about these folks that appealed to me, so I wanted to help them. Eventually, I convinced myself it was a professional challenge.

In such situations, a solid foundation is crucial – you've got to start right.

First, I asked participants to take a few minutes to individually write their response to the question, "What irritates, confuses, or worries me the most in the company?"

Each person voiced their points, and I listened intently, asking deeper questions. Some needed encouragement to speak, while others needed timely restraint. At the same time, I had to calm down the 'opponents' eager to convey their 'truth.'

At the end of this exercise, the atmosphere in the room noticeably changed. People relaxed, smiles appeared, and a sense of excitement emerged.

But why, when it was like touching an open wound with our hands?

1. Implicit things became explicit. The conflict was named a conflict. People voiced all their fears. This reduced the uncertainty.

2. I demonstrated a different way of communication and its benefits. People realized that if I could do it, they could too.

3. For the first time, everyone felt genuinely heard. The urge to fight and prove a point vanished.

4. It turned out the "opponents" had a meaningful position too. Moreover, their initial intentions were good.

5. It became clear that despite differences in approaches, everyone globally wanted to achieve a very similar state.

With such a strong foundation, the rest of the session went great.

Notice, the problems and solutions were within them.

I was just a catalyst for changes they needed long ago.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Negative Spiral / December 10, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Opened a bunch of YouTube videos about American cops' work.

A chest camera captures how a trivial thing turns into drama.

Let's say the driver could take the speeding ticket and calmly go about his business. But life would be unbearably dull, right?

Instead, the driver gets irritated, insults the cop, and flaunts his rights. He refuses to show ID and threatens to pull strings. The conflict escalates right before our eyes.

In one case, a guy suddenly decides to make a run for it. In another, a woman flat out refuses to get out of the car. In a third, they bite and kick the cops. Drugs or weapons are found in the car, and the wrongdoing geometrically multiplies. Even when the police, parents, and friends try to calm him down, the person digs himself deeper. Out of all the available scenarios, for some reason, he chooses the worst. It's not bad luck or fate; it's more like stubborn self-destruction.

There's a temptation to smirk and say, "What fools!" But looking at ourselves honestly, we'll remember doing something similar. Maybe it didn't have the same intensity, but the pattern of worsening the situation was there.

It's evident that any unpleasant situation a person can easily turn into hell. Then, this means that he can potentially improve anything.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Imperfection Is Ideal / December 9, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Every advertising pro knows the "crocodile in the corner".

It's all about not presenting the perfect design to the client.

There's a risk the client will declare, "Everything needs to change."

They feel compelled to make some comment.

After all, perfection is unattainable, so a flaw must be found at any cost.

As a result, cool ideas get messed up, deadlines get broken, and so on.

The designer tackles this issue by slipping in an element of obvious nonsense. It could be:

A mistake in the date of the advertised event,
A neighboring Pantone hue in corporate logo,
A missed client comment from the last meeting, etc.

The critic's gaze immediately hooks onto the loop of imperfection.

"What the #@?! Get rid of this! The rest is fine," everyone exhales.

But this approach is also useful when it comes to yourself.

Otherwise, you, like that client, can harm yourself.

Try taking the next step consciously "imperfect."

In other words, it's a "draft," not the "final product."

Furthermore, this approach is often closer to the truth.

"Work in progress" perfectly describes who we are and what we do.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Time to Be Yourself / December 8, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

They say: There's no point in therapy, coaching, or mentoring.

Like, business partners, spouses, and friends will offer any help you need.

Sure, mutual support acts like an insurance policy. You help them, they help you. It's unlikely that everyone around you will fall into depression or go broke at the same time.

You could also argue whether a coach has enough experience to give you the best advice. After all, with some effort, you can find an expert for any question. But there are reasons I've been seeing a therapist for 5 years.

I know for sure that this hour will be entirely devoted to me. Focusing on the other person, forgetting about yourself—it's a rare skill most of our acquaintances don't have. I've studied it myself for a few years, so I know.

Moreover, each session has explicit settings. Motivation, roles, and responsibilities for each of us are clarified. For example, I don't have to worry about whether I owe something for insights or whether it's convenient to bring up a problem again.

And I love that during this hour, I can be myself. It's possible only when, on one hand, you're not afraid to open up and become completely vulnerable. And on the other hand, you're not afraid to shatter the interlocutor with the "horrors" you carry inside.

Imagine this: on top of everything I've mentioned, you also sense genuine interest and warmth from the therapist. This experience alone has the power to transform you.

Do you have someone to share with what you can't tell anyone else?

By the way, which of the three illustrations do you think is the best?

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Jumping Into the Void / December 6, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Changes always come with discomfort, confusion, and pain.

That's why a chain of small, steady changes is ideal.

But sometimes life pushes us to the edge of our familiar world.

Ahead looms a frightening uncertainty.

You realize the real risk of crashing or losing your mind.

For love or money, no one can do it for you.

You must take the leap into the void personally.

That's when the miracle happens in mid-air — metamorphosis.

You jump as one person, but land as someone else.

...

The context, scale, and significance of the leap vary for each of us.

But there's a common rule to avoid unnecessary suffering on the edge.

You need to quickly find your own meaning on the other side.

The kind of meaning that redeems everything you'll be facing.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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The Outfit / December 6, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

If you haven't seen the movie "Outfit" yet, I envy you.

Accidentally turning it on, I couldn't tear myself away. A few times, I thought I had it all figured out. But the storyteller would suddenly shift the perspective, and everything would appear in a new light.

Besides, the movie offered a business insight. The quote below from the film illustrates the stance that any Master of their Craft should take.

The gist of it is, even though clients come to you with a problem and pay money, you're accountable not to them but to those above you.

Call it conscience, professional integrity, or God. Thanks to an inner impulse, you do not what the client may want, but what the situation here and now demands.

Some years ago, a customer comes into my shop with a suit, not one of mine.

The customer says, “The jacket, it's too big”. It is.

“The problem”, I say, “is the shoulders”.

But the customer says, no, he likes the shoulders. The problem is the sleeves.

We go back and forth.

Finally, the customer says, “It's my money, and I'm telling you, cut the sleeves”.

So, what do I do?

I say: “Yes, sir”, and then I cut the shoulders.

The customer, he comes back, tries on his new suit.

“It's perfect, he says. “That's exactly what I asked for”.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Master Your Kingdom / December 5, 2023 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 / December 4, 2023 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 / December 3, 2023 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 / December 2, 2023 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 / December 1, 2023 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 / November 30, 2023 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 / November 29, 2023 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

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

”Who are you and what do you do?"
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