Paper Napkin Wisdom · Leadership & Entrepreneurship Insights for Founders and Executives

Paper Napkin Wisdom · Leadership & Entrepreneurship Insights for Founders and Executives

By Govindh JayaramanBusinessEntrepreneurship
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Paper Napkin Wisdom · Leadership & Entrepreneurship Insights for Founders and Executives episodes

  • EP #149: The Anatomy of a Leader - Miranda Barrett (Entrepreneurs Organization VP Strategic Engagement)

    What does it take to be an effective leader? Thousands of books and articles attempt to answer this question (including our podcast). On today's show, entrepreneur support expert Miranda Barrett is an shares her insights on what it takes to be an effective leader. For more than a decade, Miranda has worked with over 400 entrepreneurs as part of the EO Global Team.

    "I work with our member leaders to discuss their goals for the upcoming years and I've found similarities between the people who end up meeting those goals and those who don't," she says. Often times, leaders think they're leading but their staff is disengaged and disinterested in the overall mission. "If you think you're leading and no one is following, you're just out for a walk," she says.

    According to Miranda, the main trait of a good leader is someone who knows how to leverage and engage their team. "Entrepreneurs have so much energy and passion. It's akin to an excited golden retriever," she says. Leaders must understand how to share that excitement and vision with the team. Additionally, showing sincerity and vulnerability is a crucial part of getting teams in line with their leader. She explains, "You have to admit when you're stuck and turn to your team members to help fix the problem, instead of micromanaging. That trust is contagious and will come right back to you."

    Empowering your team through humility and vulnerability can also lead to teaching them to develop their inner leader, which in turn, will help you reach your goals. She recalls a situation where a supportive team led to success, "We were hosting our Global Student Entrepreneur Awards program. The team was phenomenal. My job was to make sure our emcee did the best job possible, despite last minute scheduling changes. In a very visible way, he was on the hook for anything that would have gone wrong, but he had a safety net. He looked alone but he was supported. "

    Things don't always turn out as planned. When teams don't reach their goals, it's important to take some time to regroup. "There's a humility in being curious. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Was the process broken? If so, where was the breakdown? Figuring out what happened and where, instead of immediately blaming your team is a crucial part of maintaining that trust," she says.

    Having a team of "yes-men" may mean that your team members don't feel open enough to voice their opinions. A disengaged team can be just as bad as an incompetent one. "When you have people proactively looking ahead of you to help and feel safe making suggestions? That's when you can be sure that your team wants to be there," she says. Conversely, if your team isn't making suggestions, they may not feel comfortable speaking up.

    Finding ways to draw the honesty out of your team ensures its health. Miranda suggests that leaders find "fun and inventive" ways to get honest feedback from team members that may not feel comfortable opening up. Miranda recalls a company who was looking to open a store in China. In the meeting, the team assured their managers everything was on schedule to open on time. However, after the managers let the team place bets on when they thought the store would actually open, they found that the entire team didn't think the deadline was possible. The store ended up not opening for months.

    What are some things you do with your team to keep them engaged? Send us a tweet @WiseNapkin with your answer!

    Read the full show notes and blog post: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com/post/ep-149-the-anatomy-of-a-leader-miranda-barrett-entrepreneurs-organization-vp-strategic-engagemen

    Listen to Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paper-napkin-wisdom-leadership-entrepreneurship-insights/id735345903

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ejOegCltch4RZsqCRKUm3

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Follow Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govindhj/

    X (Twitter): https://x.com/WiseNapkin

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/govindhj/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaperNapkinWisdom

    TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Website: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com

    42 min
  • TA 2: Stay in Your Lane!

    Each week I'll post a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, just talking about how to apply the Paper Napkin Wisdom 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success in an everyday kind of way.

    This week I talk about how important it is to stay in your lane and remain focused on your main priority. Don't get distracted with things that will pull you off course.

    Are you staying on course? How do you do it?

    Read the full show notes and blog post: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com/post/week-in-review-2-stay-in-your-lane

    Listen to Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paper-napkin-wisdom-leadership-entrepreneurship-insights/id735345903

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ejOegCltch4RZsqCRKUm3

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Follow Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govindhj/

    X (Twitter): https://x.com/WiseNapkin

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/govindhj/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaperNapkinWisdom

    TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Website: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com

    5 min
  • Ep #148: The Dirty 'D' Word - Brian Kight (Entrepreneur, Speaker)

    Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitate. Roughly translated into "More things should not be used than are necessary," Occam's razor— a principle developed by Franciscan friar and logician—harps on the value of simplicity. In today's podcast, Brian Kight explains the value of simplistic discipline. "[In order to be successful], one must choose discipline over default every day. It's the one thing that enhances everything," he says.

    As CEO of Focus 3, an organization that helps organizations align leaders, culture and behaviors with strategy and goals, he routinely couches entrepreneurs on the value of discipline. "It's a constant battle between our willingness to bring discipline to each day or to default into old habits. The hardest thing to do in the world is to execute the simplest tasks with discipline. Elite levels of discipline garner great results," he continues.

    While this idea seems simple enough, anyone can agree that it isn't necessarily easy. Take diet and weight loss, for example. Everyone knows the basic ways one can shed pounds – healthy eating, exercise, regular check-ins with a dietician and so on. However, shutting down the default (also known as autopilot) and getting to the discipline part is what makes it so difficult. Default is anything driven by autopilot, resistance and impulse – three things that are not uncommon in the human experience. "Living a disciplined life means that you're not on autopilot. You're living intentionally," he says.

    For most people, the word discipline has an immediate negative connotation. But the word actually comes from a Latin word which translates into student. "All discipline means is learning how to narrow down and apply a system of standards," Brian says, "In my observation, I encounter far too few people who have a definitive set of standards and living them with discipline."

    Contrary to popular science, Brian refuses to subscribe to the notion that it takes 21 days to establish a habit. "I don't believe that discipline becomes our natural norm. It's something you have to work on. Your brain is always going to want to find an easier path. Discipline must be a daily decision and very intentional," he argues.

    For leaders who are looking to incorporate more discipline into their corporate structure, Brian warns that discipline must come from within and not from external sources— otherwise, it's just compliance. "First, you must set the standard, then give people tools that help them become disciplined and hold them accountable. It's not about rules; it's about establishing a standard through clarity and support," he advises.

    Read the full show notes and blog post: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com/post/ep-148-the-dirty-d-word-brian-kight-entrepreneur-speaker

    Listen to Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paper-napkin-wisdom-leadership-entrepreneurship-insights/id735345903

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ejOegCltch4RZsqCRKUm3

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Follow Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govindhj/

    X (Twitter): https://x.com/WiseNapkin

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/govindhj/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaperNapkinWisdom

    TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Website: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com

    37 min
  • TA 1: Start the Day With a Plan

    Take Action Premiere!

    I talk about how my 9 year old son and I use our morning routines to help build a plan for the day.

    Are you building a plan for your day? How do you do it?

    Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

    This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

    Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success ... get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

    Read the full show notes and blog post: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com/post/week-in-review-1-starting-the-day-with-a-plan

    Listen to Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paper-napkin-wisdom-leadership-entrepreneurship-insights/id735345903

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ejOegCltch4RZsqCRKUm3

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Follow Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govindhj/

    X (Twitter): https://x.com/WiseNapkin

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/govindhj/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaperNapkinWisdom

    TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Website: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com

    4 min
  • Ep #147: Come "Fly" With Us - Peter Shankman (Bestselling Author, Entrepreneur)

    Entrepreneurs, what big plans have you been putting off because they seemed unrealistic or too far-fetched? Have you ever asked yourself, "Well, why not? What's the worst that can happen?" Today's podcast guests thinks that you should. "There are benefits to having ADHD", declares founder of HARO and Paper Napkin Wisdom show favorite, Peter Shankman. "When you have ADHD, you have two speeds, off or all the way on. You tend to not overthink things. You come to the conclusion that you want to do things, just because you move faster than normal."

    Think of it as flying through and around and with things.

    As it turns out, this ended up being how he got started with his latest project, Faster Than Normal, a podcast which focuses on turning ADHD into an advantage, instead of a disability. While many entrepreneurs are plagued by inaction due to overthinking, Peter doesn't have that problem. "There's a built in bias to action. More ideas have failed because they haven't been done, not because they were bad ideas," he muses.

    While many successful entrepreneurs are innately curious, many also suffer from this bias. Perfectionism, while a noble quest, is often the serial killer to innovation and creativity. Peter's approach pairs a relentless desire to execute and innovate with the relentless desire to have fun and let loose. This has proven to be successful for him: by using his ADHD as a rocket instead of a crutch, he has founded several entrepreneurial ventures.

    The Faster Than Normal podcast is extremely personal to him. As a child, he often felt out of place. He subscribes to Kevin Spacey's quote which states "If you're lucky enough to do well, it's your responsibility to send the elevator back down." Peter often receives letters from parents that thank him for speaking up and providing his interesting perspectives on ADHD.

    He believes that embracing differences is an important key to innovation. "I've lost several friends from suicide over the past decade or so. There need to me more conversations surrounding mental health for entrepreneurs," he says, "We become our most honest selves when we become the help we once needed."

    So, how can entrepreneurs adopt the 'do first and think later' mindset? Think of your brain as an Internet browser. The more tabs that are open, the slower it will go. Peter suggests adhering to a strict routine and ruthlessly eliminating anything that does not fit within that routine. "Structure will set you free," he says.

    What are some of your 'big, hairy audacious goals'? What's stopping you from going after them? Tweet us with your answers @WiseNapkin!

    Read the full show notes and blog post: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com/post/ep-147-come-fly-with-us-peter-shankman-bestselling-author-entrepreneur

    Listen to Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paper-napkin-wisdom-leadership-entrepreneurship-insights/id735345903

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ejOegCltch4RZsqCRKUm3

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Follow Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govindhj/

    X (Twitter): https://x.com/WiseNapkin

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/govindhj/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaperNapkinWisdom

    TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Website: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com

    32 min
  • TA 33: To Scale, We Need to Care About Others More Than Ourselves

    To scale a business, we need to care about others more than we care about ourselves. The challenge is that we need to care about strangers (e.g. customers, suppliers, vendors, partners, bankers, even employees) - people you don't really know.

    As entrepreneurs and leaders, we often take on the burden pressure from everyone around us and put it on our shoulders. In order to be of value, we need to do that transparently and openly. On the other side, we need to be really committed to outcomes, results, and delivering a value to strangers.

    If we build systems around that commitment to value, then we can hit the scale paradox.

    When you think about your journey and your business, can you say that the person on the other side knows - not thinks – knows that you care? If you can't, then they don't.

    You bring something unique to the game. Don't forget that every time you're on the way to new, it will be scary, but fear opens the door to learning and the opportunity to be transparent. Strangers who are most aligned with your mission and understand why you do what you do will support who you are, if you show up transparently and they know you care more about them than you do about yourself.

    Let's work together to make this year the best one yet.

    I want to help you. Please go to www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com and sign up, we'll send you the e-book that contains the secret structure that will build more scalable, even exponential results than you had thought possible.

    You have so much to give, you had better start now.

    Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

    This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

    Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success ? get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

    5 min
  • Ep #146: Be the Change You Want To See - Lucas Siegel (Entrepreneur, Inventor)

    When we first started Paper Napkin Wisdom, the idea was that by inspiring entrepreneurs to change themselves, we could promote change in the world. Lucas Siegel, co-founder of Capital Peak Investments and AlternaScript has a similar idea in today's Paper Napkin Wisdom. "If there's something in the world you don't like, then build a business to change it," he says. He began AlternaScript with this concept in mind. "It's fascinating how few people realize that a business is really just about solving a problem better than other people can."

    Growing up in an entrepreneurial household, his family always instilled a sense of worldly purpose within Lucas. After graduating from the University of Colorado and extensive travelling, he began to explore the problem with health supplements. "I discovered that most of them sucked and did not have any scientific backing. The underlying problem – which is what I based my company off of— surrounds how we can optimize health for American citizens and the world. How can we unleash people to live up to their potential, from a healthy living perspective? In my opinion, business is the only way to sustainably solve some of the world's most massive, daunting problems," he mused.

    Beginning a business with a question in mind is a great way to stay on purpose through the entrepreneurial journey. "It's so easy to lose track of why you're here. Keeping that question at the forefront of your efforts helps to align your vision and your team," says Lucas. Speaking of teams, he credits a lot of his success to his "tribe". There are three types of people he keeps around him, "I surround myself with scalers, inventors and operators. And I make sure they're all smarter than me and purpose driven individuals."

    Running a purpose driven business can be tough without the help of a well-oiled machine. Lucas ensures that he stays on track by running daily and reading (or, as he tells it, having a conversation with the author). Additionally, he develops six month goals which he writes down and reads twice a day. "I have micro goals inside of my larger term goals. Six months is the longest I'd like to plan. I read somewhere that strategizing on a year to year basis is less of a strategy and more of a dream. Putting tight timelines on things pushes your brain more," he says.

    A large part of Lucas' purpose is to provide consumers with top notch products. He's not prone to analysis paralysis and is an advocate for another popular idea on our show: 'Make it bad then make it better.' "We use consumer feedback to evolve our products. We have developed over fifty versions of our cognitive enhancement brain supplement," he says. "The hard part is scaling and gaining traction and going through the 5,000 no's to get to that one yes."

    While he credits his success to the idea of solving a problem with his business, Lucas also cautions fellow entrepreneurs to do the same. "A lot of people come to me to try and figure out why their business isn't growing. I always tell them to think to themselves: 'Am I solving a problem that exists? Or did I create the problem in my head'," he muses.

    What's the ultimate worldly purpose behind your business? Tweet us @Wisenapkin with your answers!

    Read the full show notes and blog post: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com/post/ep-146-be-the-change-you-want-to-see-lucas-siegel-entrepreneur-inventor

    Listen to Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paper-napkin-wisdom-leadership-entrepreneurship-insights/id735345903

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ejOegCltch4RZsqCRKUm3

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Follow Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govindhj/

    X (Twitter): https://x.com/WiseNapkin

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/govindhj/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaperNapkinWisdom

    TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Website: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com

    40 min
  • Ep #145: Trust the World - Leila Janah (Social Entrepreneur)

    To some, the concept of trusting the world may seem like a far-fetched philosophy. 'How can I trust the world with everything that's going on right now?' you may ask. However, today's Paper Napkin Wisdom guest, Leila Janah doesn't feel like the concept is unrealistic. In fact, she uses it as the guiding principle in her personal and professional life. Leila is founder of Sama, a social enterprise that helps people lift themselves out of poverty, and Laxmi, a social impact luxury brand. Her interest in tackling these issues stemmed from her grandmother. An 'adventurette', Grandma Janah hiked around the world from 1949-1952 with only $5 to her name. She met Leila's grandfather in Calcutta, where the two began to build a life. Years later, Leila's parents were worried about their upcoming move to the United States. "My grandma took their hands and said: 'The world is a beautiful place. Trust the world'. They imparted that philosophy on to me," she says.

    Birthed by impassioned adventurers, Leila expressed interest in world policy and events from an early age. "I've lived abroad in Japan and Switzerland because I wanted to be connected with people and see how they lived," Leila recalls. After helming the inaugural chapter of Amnesty International at her local high school, she worked to provide equal access to AP courses within high schools in underprivileged communities. By taking the philosophy of connectedness and pairing it with action, she found a way to promote change in the world.

    Trusting the world also applies to managerial styles. When one of her team members needed two days outside of his allotted PTO in order to go on his honeymoon, she found a way to ensure he wouldn't have to take unpaid leave. "He didn't ask me for this, but I wanted to give it to him. When you give people agency and you expect the best from them, that's when they deliver," she says. Instead of treating employees as mindless drones, she finds that this approach allows for them to take more pride in their work.

    This is not to say you won't be disappointed when humans you've trusted drop the ball. "It's not always easy to view the world through this lens," she admits, "But I believe that bad behavior is only the default when we expect it to be. When you have high expectations of other humans, they normally will rise to the challenge." She also credits daily meditation with keeping her centered and focused. "Ben Franklin wrote down his virtues and reviewed them daily to make sure that he was abiding by his core principles. I did a similar exercise and I've found that it keeps me incredibly balanced. It's a guide and a map for my decision making," she says.

    Do you apply this philosophy to your life? How has it impacted your life and your company? Tweet us with your answers @Wisenapkin

    Read the full show notes and blog post: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com/post/ep-145-trust-the-world-leila-janah-social-entrepreneur

    Listen to Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paper-napkin-wisdom-leadership-entrepreneurship-insights/id735345903

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ejOegCltch4RZsqCRKUm3

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Follow Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govindhj/

    X (Twitter): https://x.com/WiseNapkin

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/govindhj/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaperNapkinWisdom

    TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Website: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com

    31 min
  • PNW Book Review 1 - Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success, Phil Jackson

    In today's podcast, avid readers Govindh Jayaraman, entrepreneur and host of Paper Napkin Wisdom, and James Ashcroft, entrepreneur and mentor at EO Accelerator Meetings, discuss Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson, legendary winning coach of the Chicago Bulls and LA Lakers.

    Though neither is particularly a basketball fan, both loved the book and highly recommend it. They recognize that "eleven rings" refer less about championship rings and more about a bond between players; it's a circle of love that gets amazing results. Both feel that the book's honest style and the lessons garnered can directly apply to personal and professional life, lessons in leadership for any team endeavor.

    Key inspirational themes they found in Eleven Rings:

    • Lead from the inside out. Phil Jackson took athletes with tremendous talent and egos and provided a structure so they could be creative, while creating a bond, a recipe for team success. Jackson helped his players grow individually and grow together into something bigger than themselves, which could be a story about any management culture.
    • Find the joy in your work. Phil Jackson, they said, "clearly has a joy. It's inspirational that someone finds the river of joy within themselves, to say, what I'm best at, what my calling is, to extract the best from these young men in a team environment. That congruence is extremely powerful."
    • Delegate authority as much as possible. Jackson felt that was the most effective approach to build everyone's leadership skills, unity, and help others to grow. He created space for his teams to figure it out, and didn't make a lot of calls from the bench. He trusted them and didn't claim to always have the right answer. As Michael Jordan said, the "team's collective think power" was their hallmark of success. Obsessing about winning is a losers' game. Create the best possible conditions for success and let go of the outcome.
    • Turn the mundane into the sacred. Jackson thought teaching spirituality to his men was the biggest part of the job. The lesson for Govindh and James? "When we commit higher sense of self, self-discipline, collective discipline, we can achieve way, way more."
    • Lead with compassion. Phil Jackson bent his style to the individual player (think of Dennis Rodman). Practices were sacred ground where players could just be themselves. Jackson's goal as a coach was to foster an environment where the players could grow as individuals and express themselves creatively within a team structure. Govindh and James agree, "whether it's a coach, leader, father, husband, friend, don't we want to achieve that with and for each other?"
    • Among other explorations, Jackson used music to help his teams and had them coordinate their actions in 4/4 time. The team synchronized, each attuned to the hidden language they had, playing together. Beat by beat they harmonized with each other. Jovindh and James see this as the learning for companies: "If they fall out of stride, out of rhythm it's a big issue for a company's leaders. There is rhythm, harmony we need to maintain within the organization. When we break it, nobody knows where to be." If the tempo is dragging or the players out of key, the music becomes noise. "Music and rhythm and momentum, the energy that it takes for a sports team or business to continue and work together and bring as many people into that ecosystem as you can, that is success."

    Read the full show notes and blog post: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com/post/pnw-book-review-1-eleven-rings-the-soul-of-success-phil-jackson

    Listen to Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paper-napkin-wisdom-leadership-entrepreneurship-insights/id735345903

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ejOegCltch4RZsqCRKUm3

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Follow Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govindhj/

    X (Twitter): https://x.com/WiseNapkin

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/govindhj/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaperNapkinWisdom

    TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Website: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com

    38 min
  • TA 32: All Worthy Pursuits Are Elusive Due to Their Enormous Simplicity

    Everything worthwhile is hard to do. Being a better parent, a better leader, a better entrepreneur, or build a better business mode. Everything.

    The reason? They're enormously simple. The strategy and idea behind great things is simplicity, and they're worthwhile because you understand them and their value.

    For example: admitting when you're wrong – in real time. This is hard to do. It's elusive, worthwhile and the right thing to do but it's hard. Simplicity and how easy it is to do aren't the same thing. Simple doesn't mean easy. The path to simplicity goes through complexity, and it can be very challenging to find focus and deliver that elusive thing.

    That's what entrepreneurs do – we deliver that elusive value, that's only doable by you.

    Being yourself is simple. But rare, particularly in challenging circumstances. But it can reap great rewards. Recently, we were launching a new product and were asked by a customer – a big customer we needed – how many other clients are you working with that we can join in with? We admitted we had none: a simple thing to do, but rare. The client was so impressed that they immediately decided they wanted to work with us, because we were doing something new and exciting.

    So, yes, everything worthwhile is hard to do, but can reap great rewards.

    Let's work together to make this year the best one yet.

    I want to help you. Please go to www.PaperNapkinWisdom.com and sign up, we'll send you the e-book that contains the secret structure that will build more scalable, even exponential results than you had thought possible.

    You have so much to give, you had better start now.

    Take Action is a short podcast, usually between 3 to 5 minutes long, and the focus is on the small, 1% improvements we can make in our businesses and lives. Small changes make a big difference!

    This podcast will help you make small changes that will change your world, so we can together save the world one entrepreneur and small business at a time!

    Based on The Book Paper Napkin Wisdom: Your 5 Step Plan to Life and Business Success — get yours now on Amazon or at Paper Napkin Wisdom.

    Read the full show notes and blog post: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com/post/ta-32-all-worthy-pursuits-are-elusive-due-to-their-enormous-simplicity

    Listen to Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paper-napkin-wisdom-leadership-entrepreneurship-insights/id735345903

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ejOegCltch4RZsqCRKUm3

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Follow Paper Napkin Wisdom:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govindhj/

    X (Twitter): https://x.com/WiseNapkin

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/govindhj/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaperNapkinWisdom

    TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@papernapkinwisdom

    Website: https://www.papernapkinwisdom.com

    6 min

About Paper Napkin Wisdom · Leadership & Entrepreneurship Insights for Founders and Executives

From the publisher's feed

Most entrepreneurs who've built something real are still leading from an identity that was built for a chapter that's already behind them. The mask still works, but it's not their face anymore.