Most people think growth comes from strategy.Atul Sood thinks it comes from relationships.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sat down with Atul Sood, a fractional Chief Business Officer, former Google Ventures-backed startup operator, former McDonald’s global business development leader, founder, advisor, and someone who has lived through both massive wins and brutal personal setbacks.This conversation goes far beyond business tactics.We talk about:- Why relationships compound harder than money- The emotional cost of leadership- Why founders overestimate their chances of success- The rise of the white-collar gig economy- Why empathy disappears in leadership- The reality of layoffs and executive pressure- How to know if a company will actually scale- Why vulnerability is a superpower in leadership- What fractional executives really solve inside companies- Why most people should build a side hustle nowIf you're a founder, operator, executive, or someone trying to figure out what matters long-term in business and life, this episode is for you.