Steve Mellor and Lee Povey are seasoned high-performance coaches with decades of experience leading elite athletes, startup founders, and executive teams. As co-hosts of The Founders Catalyst, they translate elite performance principles into leadership practices that help founders build healthier cultures and more effective companies.

Episode Summary: Steve and Lee dig into a deceptively simple framework for becoming a more effective leadertwo annual questions popularized by Chris Williamson.

The first: What are you doing that you think is effective, but isn’tand you need to do less of? The second: What are you not doing enough of that you think isn’t effective, but actually isand you need to do more of?

They explore how ego and performative leadership distort decision-makingespecially around visibility, networking, and social media. Steve shares how stepping away from local, in-person connection in favor of online “presence” cost him momentum. Lee shares the opposite: forcing himself into networking rooms that drain him, when his real edge is deep one-to-one connection.

The conversation lands on a core principle from elite sport: outcomes are not controllableprocess is. And if you want to be more effective, you need space to think, reflect, and adjust before burnout forces the lesson.

Key Takeaways:

• Effectiveness requires ego-awareness. Ask: am I doing this for impactor to look good?
• Two questions can reveal your blind spots:

1. What am I doing too much of that I think works, but doesn’t?
2. What am I not doing enough of that I think doesn’t work, but does?

• What works for you matters. The “right” strategy is personalit must fit your energy, temperament, and strengths.
• Networking isn’t universally effective. For some leaders it’s fuel; for others it’s performance and drain.
• Social media can be a trap. Obsessing over details and engagement metrics often serves ego more than outcomes.
• 90% are watching quietly. Lack of likes doesn’t mean lack of impact.
• Process beats outcome. Set the goal, then focus on what you can control today.
• Founders who obsess over the exit often under-build the company. Build something sellable; the exit follows.
• Weekly reflection beats annual reflection. Small adjustments compound into major gains.
• Unstructured time is a leadership tool. Protect at least 2 hours weekly for low-cognitive-load thinking.

Resources Mentioned:

• Chris Williamson (Modern Wisdom) the two annual effectiveness questions
• Ego vs effectiveness / performative leadership
• Process vs outcome (elite sport principle)
• Gottman “bids for connection” (turn away, turn against, turn toward)
• Aggregation of marginal gains (1–2% improvements compounding)

Try this for the next 4 weeks:

• Block 2 hours of unstructured time each week (walk, museum, low-cognitive-load activity).
• Answer the two questions based on last week.Choose one small change (1–2%) and implement it immediately.

Busy isn’t a badge. It’s a signal. Adjust before burnout forces you to.

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.

Join Our LinkedIn Group!
Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.