(Un)important back / March 1, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

How much time do you spend glued to a desk?

I can’t manage less than 8-10 hours a day.

Unfortunately, such work comes at a cost—a nasty pain in the back.

I’m not alone. 5 out of 10 working adults endure back pain each year. It’s the “popular” reason for chronic pain and the top cause of missed work and disability.

Recently, I had enough. I decided to toughen up my back.

Unlike past futile attempts, here’s what I do now:

Dedicated workouts for the problem area (lower back).
Exercise at least 3-4 times a week.
Invested in a program from orthopedists who fixed my “wrestler’s elbow.”

Thanks to the struggle and kettlebells, I thought I was no slouch. But some exercises I couldn’t do at first. Give a shot to, say, Side Plank Thruster, 3-4 sets for 1 minute each.

Turns out, some of my muscles are embarrassingly weak. They seem unimportant because they don’t stand out like shoulders, chest, or biceps.

The irony is that the stability of your back depends on these inconspicuous muscles. Hence, everything else:

Confidence in daily tasks with a load,
Explosive strength, and mobility,
No missed workouts,
High productivity,
Quality of life, etc.

Truth often hides where we least expect it.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

How can I help you?
If you've long been trying to understand what is limiting you and/or your business and how to finally give important changes a push, then The Catalyst Session is designed specifically for you. Book it here.

Injury Genesis / February 29, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

Guess, what is the main cause of injuries in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

I'll tell you right away, it's something different from:

age,
lack of sleep,
loss of focus,
malicious intent,
skipping warm-ups,
not knowing techniques,
a weak coach, and so on.

Hint: The reason is the same as in negotiations or trading stocks.

Moreover, it's a universal source of almost all human woes.

Intrigued? Let me share a typical situation in a grappling match.

Your opponent is strong, but you're no slouch either. You crave victory but fear losing even more. In a backyard cat brawl, the heat is lower than yours. That's how athletes fight for a medal in the Olympic final.

Luck is on your opponent's side, and he pulls off a dangerous move. Your ligaments stretch like a bowstring. Another second, and it would be too late. But you act like a madman: "Tap out? Never!"

Crack! Ouch! Operation, rehab, six months gone.

Now the absurdity of your behavior is clear. You could have "cut your losses" and started the game again. Perhaps you'd figure things out and make your opponent tap a couple of times.

Something hindered, tempted, and drove you crazy. What was it?

Pride. In modern terms, Ego.

Inflated Ego prevents us from accepting reality as it is. We're like the chick valuing the cracked shell more than freedom.

Watch a master at work. He makes mistakes like everyone else, maybe even more often. But the cost is reasonable because he pays ASAP. Reality doesn't charge a compound interest on debt.

Conclusion: our true opponent, Ego, isn't outside but inside.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Multiplying Your Forces / February 28, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

I'm fascinated by nonlinear effects.

A few examples:

A 15-minute afternoon nap refreshes like a 2-hour sleep.
One vice—pride—is the source of most people's problems.
A similar dilemma constrains the growth of different companies.
Controlling an opponent's head in Jiu-Jitsu reduces his power by 80%.

The essence is simple: a tiny change yields a colossal result.

It's a disaster if the nonlinear effect works against you. Standing in the path of an avalanche or mass hysteria makes no sense. One force will soon exhaust itself. The other won't even notice the obstacle.

It's a different story when asymmetry is on your side. You playfully move mountains and rivers. Your initial input doesn't matter if a lever amplifies it by 1,000 times.

So, for example, for a venture investor, early-stage startup valuation is secondary. Whether it's $1M or $5M is trivial when the company has a real chance to be worth $1B in a few years.

The task is to find the non-linear effects and be in sync with them.

I used to think they were a vanishing species, like the white rhinoceros. Turns out, they're everywhere. Sometimes, I even stumble upon them.

It's about optics. You need to slightly adjust your perspective.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Sneakers for $50,000 / February 27, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

Would you drop 50 grand on a pair of sneakers?

No? Well, some folks would call that a stroke of luck.

These aren't your run-of-the-mill shoes; we're talking about the Nike SB Dunk Low Paris!

A collab between Nike and French artist Bernard Buffet, these kicks hit the streets back in 2003 for the "White Dunk" mobile art exhibition in Paris. Rumor has it there were only 150-200 pairs.

There was supposed to be a raffle, but guess what? It got canceled. The hype was just too damn high. Sold exclusively in select stores, people camped out in the cold for days, hoping to step into the skate culture paradise.

You might be thinking, "Interesting, but still nuts." Well, yes and no.

See, there's a reality, like a pushpin we sat down on with a yelp. But there's another reality too, and it's all up in people's heads.

If at least two people believe in the value of X, then there is a deal. And what's X? It could be anything—from John Lennon's tooth ($31K) to a bag of air from a Kanye West concert ($60K).

Thinking that every product or service has an objective price is a major misconception in business. There are those who cling to pricing based on what it cost them to make the darn thing.

Sounds reasonable, fair, and in control, right? Well, despite the price talks, what they're really hashing out is the value. The latter is entirely subjective, whether we fancy it or not.

Sure, it means embracing the foggy uncertainty. But here's the kicker: value knows no bounds. So, the price tag on what you offer could be anything.

You just need to find your true fans. When you do what you can't help but do, your admirers are definitely out there somewhere.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Attention to Attention / February 26, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

For several years now, I've almost completely cut out alcohol. No, I don't deem it evil, and I don't judge those who enjoy a drink. Occasionally, I savor a glass of wine – gatherings with friends, celebrations, and such.

But the regret kicks in almost immediately. As soon as ethanol starts infiltrating my brain. You see, my attention has become precious to me lately. It's become a new necessity and even an occasional pleasure.

Clarity of thought, sensitivity to nuances, and an all-encompassing perspective. It wasn't as crucial before. Have it? Great. Don't? No big deal.

I used to roll along life's tracks like a tram – night in the depot, a series of stops during the day. Child's play to control: two pedals – gas and brake.

One day, I got tired of being the tram conductor. I stepped off the rails.

Greater freedom comes with a price – responsibility for the consequences. If you want to fly, learn not to fall. And the closer you get to the clouds, the higher the demands for vigilance.

Yes, alcohol consoles, liberates, and amuses. But in return, it cunningly steals my consciousness. It's like the mosquito's saliva. It contains an analgesic that makes the skin puncture barely noticeable.

I'm no longer willing to lose consciousness for free. The exchange must be equivalent. Now I understand the Peruvian Indians. For them, plant extracts are tools for healing and self-discovery.

Changing consciousness with a "potion" just for fun or to numb the suffering mind? Too expensive and ineffective in the long run.

I'd rather keep my consciousness clear, especially when chaos reigns around. And when the time is right for next transformation, I have a choice of tools.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Founders vs. Managers / February 25, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, book cover fragment

What sets entrepreneurs apart from managers?

It's not knowledge. Whose CV is full of MBAs, CFAs, CIPMs, PhDs?

It's not experience either. Among successful founders, you find both seasoned veterans and young upstarts.

Personality type? No, there are nerds and bonaparts aplenty in both camps.

After two decades observing them closely, I've cracked the code.

They pray to different gods.

For a founder, it is Function. For a manager, it is Form.

Allow me to illustrate with an excerpt from Robert Pirsig's book:

When he brought his motorcycle over I got my wrenches out but then noticed that no amount of tightening would stop the slippage, because the ends of the collars were pinched shut.

"You’re going to have to shim those out," I said.

"What’s shim?"

"It’s a thin, flat strip of metal. You just slip it around the handlebar under the collar there and it will open up the collar to where you can tighten it again. You use shims like that to make adjustments in all kinds of machines."

"Oh," he said. He was getting interested. "Good. Where do you buy them?"

"I’ve got some right here," I said gleefully, holding up a can of beer in my hand.

He didn’t understand for a moment. Then he said, "What, the can?"

"Sure," I said, "best shim stock in the world."

I thought this was pretty clever myself. Save him a trip to God knows where to get shim stock. Save him time. Save him money.

But to my surprise he didn’t see the cleverness of this at all. In fact he got noticeably haughty about the whole thing. Pretty soon he was dodging and filling with all kinds of excuses and, before I realized what his real attitude was, we had decided not to fix the handlebars after all.

...I should say, to explain this, that beer-can aluminum is soft and sticky, as metals go. Perfect for the application. Aluminum doesn’t oxidize in wet weather...or, more precisely, it always has a thin layer of oxide that prevents any further oxidation. Also perfect.

For a while I thought what I should have done was sneak over to the workbench, cut a shim from the beer can, remove the printing and then come back and tell him we were in luck, it was the last one I had, specially imported from Germany. That would have done it. A special shim from the private stock of Baron Alfred Krupp, who had to sell it at a great sacrifice. Then he would have gone gaga over it.

...I was seeing what the shim meant. He was seeing what the shim was. That’s how I arrived at that distinction.".

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Eyes Wide Awake / February 24, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

Yesterday, me and the dog strolled across the green light at the pedestrian crossing. A lady in a Volvo nearly ran us over. How so? No driver behind the wheel—she was completely lost in her phone.

Luckily, I've got this old habit. I always look the approaching driver in the face. Even if I have to turn my head for a car coming from the side-rear.

It's crucial to figure out if the driver noticed me or not.

When I used to drive, certain pedestrians would astonish me. They'd cross the road, looking ahead proudly. Wanted to shout at them, "Are you made of rubber? Or do you have 9 lives in reserve like a cat?"

I owe this habit to riding a motorcycle. There you realize you have to watch not just yourself but literally everyone around. And several steps ahead.

The reason is the asymmetry of consequences. A collision can kill or disable a biker, but leaves the driver with only a scare and a damaged door.

But heightened attention is apt not only on the road. An elite athlete, a surgeon, or an entrepreneur would confirm this. Spiritual practices and religions also teach that without mindfulness, there's no life.

For instance, in Ancient Mesopotamia, the supreme god Marduk defeated Tiamat, a dragon-goddess of the primordial chaos-ocean. In addition to lips ablaze with fire, he possessed 4 enormous ears and 4 all-seeing eyes. Marduk was aware of it all.

"Don't fear anything. But stay vigilant," my therapist used to say.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Who Governs Your Ship? / February 23, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

"When the company fails, most people blame the CEO. I generally blame the board," said hedge fund investor Bill Ackman. He manages $18 billion, raking in an average of 31.2% annually.

His idea is simple—the owner bears the main responsibility. Period.

In a private company, it's the founders themselves. In a public corporation, the owners' interests are represented by the directors they hire.

Excuses like "We were misled," "The CEO ignored us," or "He turned out to be incompetent" diagnose the board, not the CEO.

Only the shipowner decides whether to hire a captain for risky trading venture or to take the helm himself.

To own something automatically means answering for it. It's like balancing the books in accounting: Assets = Liabilities.

The owner complaining about the CEO is as absurd as a rider blaming the horse, a beaver faulting the dam, or a chief accusing the tribe. "Eyes saw what they bought," says the Ukrainian proverb. Those are the rules of the grown-up game.

But what's said holds true in a broader sense. Each of us has the right, and thus the responsibility, for what we allow into our lives:

Ideas,
News,
Worries,
Temptations,
Impressions,
Agreements,
All sorts of people.

Who is to blame? The ruler of your kingdom. Is that you or not?

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Allow the Impossible / February 22, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

A couple of days ago, in the grappling match, I messed up my toe. The joint swelled up. I can walk, but I'm limping badly. Today, I debated - hit the training or give it a pass?

On one hand, jiu-jitsu is pure chaos. So, the risk of making the injury worse is sky-high. On the flip side, if I wait for perfect health, the kinomo in the closet will gather dust.

I want to grapple, but I can't.

I cracked this dilemma about five years back, same injury. I told my opponents, "Let's start in a position that suits you. You've already got my back, choking the life out of me. And I'll be on the defense."

The scale of our showdown shrunk to a tiny area (my neck). Yet, the intensity stayed high, even went up. Main thing - my legs are safe, 'cause they're almost out of the game.

The insight applies beyond the mats. In business and life, we face dilemmas that seem to have no good solutions. Try describing the desired outcome paradoxically:

"I go all in grappling, zero risk of hurt."

Then, live with that thought. Yeah, it seems impossible. Yeah, there's no solution right now. Treat it like a mental experiment.

It's like a famous koan: "Show me the sound of one hand clapping." That's how a Zen Buddhist teacher helped a student reach enlightenment, going beyond the limits of logical thinking.

Find the solution, and you'll be like, 'Why didn't I see this before?!'.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Free Spirit / February 21, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

Long ago, I found myself at the Venice Biennale. Wandering through the city, we stumbled upon a renowned artist, celebrated for his radical performances. Art critics sang his praises, while his works shocked the broad audience.

We chatted for only five minutes, yet I sensed his extraordinariness. It made me uneasy, in a strangely good way. He was remarkably free, like a wild cat.

Imagine living in a two-dimensional plane, and suddenly your companion reveals a third dimension. In addition to X and Y, he has an axis Z. He's comfortable in your world, but his realm remains closed to you.

Later in life, I encountered similar individuals in various fields. They're rare—perhaps one in a hundred. They possess far greater freedom, reflected in the paradoxical nature of their thoughts, actions, and words.

They reach greater heights in less structured environments. There are more of them among entrepreneurs. But hardly any among bureaucrats, except in times of revolution and war.

Yet, greater freedom isn't a genetic lottery prize. Typically, such individuals have experienced, pondered, and reevaluated much in life. Freedom isn't handed out for free; it's earned through struggle.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Invisible Contribution / February 20, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

"What on earth! Something is always running out," complained my wife. Grocery shopping was her responsibility. In those moments, I found myself wondering: "Well, is that really a problem?"

The hurricane of war took my wife and daughter far, far away. They now reside in the United Kingdom. Presently, I'm in charge of the logistics of bringing groceries to my den.

And what do you think? I regularly mutter (with my wife's intonation): "Curse it! Where did the butter/cheese/cream/tea disappear to? I just bought a whopping 10 packs not long ago." And then, "Ah, now I understand Marina."

This is akin to comparing the roles of a forward and a goalie. Epic goals into the enemy's gates can't go unnoticed. And your goalie? He's a good fellow when nothing is happening. The first one is in the spotlight, the second always in the shadows.

In business, we sing odes to those who increase value: founders, sellers, lead generators, and so on. The function of maintaining order is often taken for granted.

It's a dangerous illusion that just anyone could ensure order. It's one thing to exert effort occasionally and achieve a Wow-result. Another thing is to do routine work day in and day out, year after year.

In the eyes of a wise leader, every function is valuable:

Back-office for a partner in an investment fund,
Support for the commander,
Engineer for the inventor,
Analyst for the manager,
Goalie for the forward,
Editor for the writer,
COO for the CEO, and so on.

The value of some things can only be truly understood through personal experience.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Optimal Pain / February 19, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

Pain differs. Take, for instance, the day after a workout.

There are three scenarios:

1. You can’t budge without a groan. Wrong. You halted your progress by pushing yourself too hard. Watch out: injury is around the corner.

2. No sensations at all. You may even wonder: “Did I lift weights yesterday?” Seems like your body adapted to the load. It’s better than nothing. But something has to change.

3. With every move, your body purrs: “I’m alive!” Muscles are not tired; they’re humming. Instead of painful soreness, there’s a pleasant ache. Clearly, your efforts yesterday were not in vain.

The third state is the “golden mean.” It helps ground your body, preventing you from getting stuck in your head. The latter is the scourge of mental laborers and neurotics.

When your body vibrates lively like a bowstring, your perspective shifts. You are not gloomy. Instead you’re eager to find a worthy goal.

By the way, it holds true for the corporate body as well.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Twitter Tea / February 18, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

In the evening, as the tea steeps, I sneak a few minutes on Twitter. Can't linger—my brain's boiling. Too many crazy things happening in the world of "homo sapiens."

But giving up on Twitter? I don't wanna either. What's the latest buzz in the last 24 hours? Let's peek through the keyhole. Scary, but intriguing!

By regulating my Twitter intake by brewing tea, I'm protecting myself from, well, me. Otherwise, I'd tumble down the rabbit hole for hours. I know my curiosity too well.

Five minutes are enough to gauge the temperature and spot the trend. It's critical to know not only where the world is going, but how quickly.

So, I glance at the thermometer. "What's up? The usual horror show? The madhouse as always? Alright, I can calmly get back to my own affairs." Sometimes a fascinating idea even makes it onto my web.

Is there a phenomenon that does absolute good or harm? Nope, it's a creation of the mind, simplifying thinking and shielding the Ego. But it's only half true.

In reality, the effect of everything is tied to dosage. Who measures it? You do. Only if you own the ideas, not the other way around.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

The Art of Improv / February 17, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

I’m in awe of the art of improvisation.

The comedian turns the mockery of hustlers back on them.
The rapper crafts a witty lyric from random words.
The judoka pulls off a wild move to win at the last moment.

I genuinely envy them because I can manage it only occasionally.

What have I gleaned from studying people who improvise freely?

1. Preparation.
They’ve poured a lot of energy into becoming masters of their craft. Their skills are polished, and they have a wide array of tools.

2. Security.
A deep understanding of the subject gives them a sense of security. If nothing threatens, you can create easily, boldly, on a whim.

3. Play.
The activity begins to resemble a foolproof game. Any mistakes make you better, and victories uplift you.

4. Dissolution.
The game is so captivating that space and time disappear. Existence lets you wholly dissolve into it.

5. Self-trust.
You enter an altered state. Inside you, a voice is heard. Usually quiet, now it drowns out the noise of the world and the criticism of people. The voice has power over you and also gives you freedom.

That’s why improvisation is paradoxical, enchanting, and fitting.

In response to the question of reality, you answer truthfully, as it is.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Feast or Famine? / February 16, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

"I have too few opportunities," laments the entrepreneur.

"No. You just lack skills," life explains to him or her.

The founder doesn't give up: "You don't understand! The void surrounds me!" Life, patiently: "You're looking in the wrong direction."

Who's right? It's easy to check. Let another entrepreneur share what he sees in the same context — oasis or sand dune.

Moreover, have you noticed how your perception of the situation differs in moments of inspiration and gloom? Like sky and earth, right?

Every pro smiles, recalling their first steps: "Like a blind kitten, I didn't see options and created problems myself."

If your business or career is stuck, try:

Leveling your spirits, without melancholy or ecstasy.
Envision an ideal future where everything somehow falls into place.
Learning from the experiences of those who've been there, done that.
Calling in a specialist who uses not just one, but many lenses.
Flipping the situation: "Oh, emptiness? Then I'm free to do anything!"

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

The Invisible Bridge / February 15, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

In the movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," there's an insight. Indiana yearns to help his wounded father but can't. A chasm separates him from the medicine.

From the Grail diary, he discovers the solution: a "leap of faith." But what absurdity is this? How? It's certain death!

In despair, Indiana steps into emptiness and... doesn't fall. The invisible bridge spans the abyss. Indiana finds the Holy Grail and saves his father. Indiana finds the Holy Grail and saves his father.

The film illustrates how strangely the world operates.

We can achieve a lot by following proven guidelines perfectly. To get what is priceless, we must first risk losing everything we have.

It's like fate sorts us based on our commitment. Passed the trial? Get the prize. Hesitated? Step aside.

It turns out, without a drop of chaos, the Game of Life would lose it's meaning. It would become completely predictable, and thus boring to death.

"Be a daredevil!" is a false conclusion. We must diligently prepare to avoid the traps that are within our control.

But having done all we can, humbly embrace the residual, indelible risk. It's the price for our free choice.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Cook and Eat Trouble / February 14, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

Kunga Cake is a dish crafted from tightly packed midges. This ingenious culinary creation hails from the folks around the Great African Lakes region—Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique.

Sometimes, the swarm of Chaoborus edulis midges is so dense that the lakes appear smoky from a distance. To catch 'em, just grease up a skillet with some butter and sweep it through the swarm.

But what about the taste?

Explorer David Livingstone once noted that these midges "tasted not unlike caviar". According to entomologist May Berenbaum, the locals devour Kunga Cake "with great enthusiasm."

Now, why on earth?

Well, turns out, Kunga Cake is a protein powerhouse. Adventurer Bear Grylls labels it "a great survival food." Essentially, it's a protein bar alternative, a go-to when a square meal isn't in sight.

While these midges don't bite, they do make life difficult for humans. During their breeding season, swarms can stretch up to 50 km. The Africans came up with a solution that illustrates the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving:

"Let the harmful factor start bringing benefits."

The next time fate upsets you with something you cannot change, think of Kunga Cake.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Healing Paradox / February 13, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

What's your best remedy for insomnia? First off, I try to read a book, as tired eyes favor sleep.

The alternative is to try as hard as I can to stay awake. For about five to ten minutes, I stare into the darkness, then for a moment, close my eyes, bam! and there I am, fast asleep.

That's how Viktor Frankl's paradoxical intention works.

The renowned psychotherapist developed this technique within the framework of logotherapy. The patient with the phobia was asked in a contradictory way to desire exactly what he feared most.

This disrupts the neurosis's plans and robs fear of its driving force. Frankl described a case where a young doctor suffered for ten years from an intense fear of sweating. After one (!) therapy session, he rid himself of the phobia forever.

The method works just like humor.

At their core is a person's ability to detach from themselves. You can't feel sorry or despise yourself while laughing at yourself.

This key to healing is applicable in various fields.

For example, business problems are solved faster when people stop focusing on themselves:

A negotiator studies the opponent's true interests.
Employee prioritizes company, not departmental goals,
The CEO seeks someone who can challenge him or her,
The founder decides to report to the board from now on.

True self-care is focusing on something or someone beyond yourself.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

COO: The Invisible Value / February 12, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

I always figured the surgeon did the heavy lifting. Surgery transforms the body instantly and radically. Anesthesia, uncertainty, risk – no wonder the patient's emotions go off the charts.

But turns out, the rehab expert's role is just as crucial.

I got it when fixing up my Jiu-Jitsu-battered knee. Post-operation, for three months, thrice a week, I hit up group sessions. The rehab expert's goal was simple:

"The injured leg must become stronger than the healthy one."

He assigned me ten peculiar exercises. From a thousand squats and wall-sitting for 15 minutes to unicycle balancing and zapping muscles with electric current.

Thanks to the "surgeon + rehab" combo, I forgot all about my knee.

In business, all the attention usually swings to the CEO. Sure, they lay out the path, fire up the team, and steer the ship.

But it'd all crash and burn without the one de facto playing the COO role right by their side. Even if they go by another name, like CFO, Traffic Manager, or a personal assistant. Sometimes, it's a blend of a few folks.

Either way, the contribution of this COO slides under the radar.

People only catch on when the COO quits or falls sick. Suddenly, customers gripe, employees squabble, and margins plummet.

A savvy founder treasures the "CEO-COO" alliance. Just as a rehab expert saves a surgeon's rep, a COO rescues the efficiency of the CEO's decisions.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

What Type of Tool Are You? / February 11, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

Sometimes it's handy to see yourself as a tool. Then there's a certain Function X someone made you for. If there's an emergency, you can be used for Function Y. But that's inefficient and shouldn't be the norm.

Function X dictates the exact form the tool should take. If any part of the tool breaks, rusts, or weakens, its efficiency drops. The function comes to the rescue. At any moment, it suggests a plan: what to clean, tighten, and fix.

Unfortunately, nobody tells us in the maternity ward why we're invited to this world. Throughout life, each of us seeks the answer: "Who am I? What's it all for?"

Partly, our preference helps: "Let me do this instead of that."

Any activity has its function, whether it's service, business, science, or sports. It provides a pull and a direction. For example, a wrestler, archer, and runner have different bodies and minds.

We choose the activity, and it carries us along. Remember how Baron Munchausen pulled himself and the horse out of the swamp by the pigtail?

The question of finding your Function X remains open.

Ideally, as the years go by, we get smarter. Trying many things, like in a child's game, we decide if it's "cold" or "warm." The main thing is not to get stuck anywhere. Let go and keep experimenting.

One day, there will be a match: Activity X + your Function X.

Alternative: you create a business of your own.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.