Larry Kesslin is an executive coach and business strategist and the author of his fourth book, The Joy Molecule. He focuses on the human side of growth, believing that sustainable success starts from within. His work sits at the intersection of business, philanthropy, and spirituality, guiding others to build meaningful relationships, create impact, and experience more joy in life and work. His mission is to help people connect with themselves, connect with others, and connect to the resources they need to leave the planet better than they found it.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn why smart, driven people often end up unhappy despite outward success, and what it actually takes to build a thriving business as an independent professional.

Larry and I discuss:

• Why high performers in corporate often carry the heaviest load [10:27]
• What caused Larry to leave a promising corporate career [06:07]
• The hidden cost of scarcity thinking for new entrepreneurs [17:49]
• The Five Dots business development system [18:59]
• Why building strategic advisor relationships matters more than selling [19:39]
• The enough equation and why comparison kills joy [11:51]
• Why scarcity is a mental state, not a reality [22:28]

Learn more about Larry at http://www.5-dots.com/.

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About Smashing the Plateau

Smashing the Plateau is a podcast for experienced independent leaders who have left corporate roles to build sustainable, expertise-based businesses.

Each episode features a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about what changes when you no longer have the infrastructure of an organization behind you.

We explore judgment, decision-making under uncertainty, growth plateaus, identity shifts, and the role of trusted thinking partners in sustaining long-term success.

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