It's not a secret anymore... You can build or join a great startup from anywhere. Hope you'll join me and 1,000 others at our Unvalley virtual conference on May 11-12 with a crazy lineup of speakers, 3 content tracks, and lots of ways to connect RSVP: powderkeg.com/unvalley

No amount of money or status will buy back missed time with your family. Hope you had some quality time over the holidays. Ready for a big 2025? I will share the best stuff from our fast-growing community of founders and leaders. Give me a follow here, and let me know how I can help!

Who might need your kindness today? A lesson I’ve taken to heart: Kindness costs you nothing but can mean everything to someone else. It costs nothing to take an extra moment to check in — in meetings, emails, or even casual conversations. A simple “How are you really doing?” can open a door for connection and support. It's often small gestures that remind me how powerful compassion can be. Who might need your kindness today?

Nothing is more meaningful to me than helping people win.

Partnering with an Executive Assistant is the single, highest leverage investment I’ve made in my professional life. A (very long) thread 🧵

Burnout doesn’t just happen—it builds. And a few years ago, I hit a wall... I was grinding hard but getting nowhere. That's when I realized: high performance isn’t just about the hustle—it’s about recovery. 3 research-backed ways to recharge and recover: ——— 1. Optimize Sleep: ↳ Drink tart cherry juice ↳ Avoid screens before bed ↳ Maintain a consistent sleep schedule ——— 2. Nature and Mindfulness: ↳ Walk in nature ↳ Meditate regularly ↳ Practice yoga and breathwork ——— 3. Advanced Recovery Techniques: ↳ Use float tanks ↳ Get regular exercise ↳ Keep a gratitude practice ——— I think Paul Simon said it best: "Slow down, you move too fast. You got to make the morning last.” Performance isn’t just about working hard. It’s about recovering smart. Save this post.

Great leaders don’t go it alone. Here’s their secret: They know the power of community. They build teams that amplify their vision. They find people who complement their strengths. The recipe? It’s about creating a support system for growth. It’s about leaning on others to fill the gaps. Success isn’t about doing it all yourself. It's a team effort. Ready to connect with the right people? I just wrapped up the finale of the Get IN podcast with @tophday, @NateSpangle, and @AfterTheDecimal (more to come soon). Hope you'll join us Aug. 27-28 at the RALLY conference: rallyinnovation.com/ Comment below to get 40% off your ticket. I'll shoot you a DM with info.

Following the crowd is killing your creativity. Want to stand out? Do this instead: Take more creative risks. We've all had those projects where everyone we follows the same old playbooks. And the results are always the same—predictable and uninspiring. But there was a project recently where our team questioned the "best practices" and approached things from a different angle. We got curious. And we took some calculated risks. The outcome? A fresh solution that energized the team and wowed our customers. So next time you're working on a project, ask yourself: "What can I do differently?" Let curiosity lead the way. — ♻️ Repost to spread curiosity to your network

Want to stand out in a crowded market? Surprise & delight your customers. Like this: Sweetwater is the world’s largest online music retailer. And their world-class customer service is illustrated with just one small gift —a small bag of candy in every box. It’s an unexpected delight that keeps customers coming back for more. 7 Customer Lessons from the CEO of Sweetwater: ——— 1. Know Your Audience: ↳ Sweetwater’s staff is made up of musicians. ↳ Hire people who understand your customers. ——— 2. Invest in Training: ↳ Their Sales Engineers go through intensive training. ↳ Equip your team to exceed customer expectations. ——— 3. Host Events: ↳ Sweetwater hosts GearFest, a huge pro audio event. ↳ Create opportunities for customers to connect. ——— 4. Offer Unique Experiences: ↳ They have top-tier recording studios. ↳ Give exclusive access or experiences that add value. ——— 5. Educate and Empower: ↳ Sweetwater runs a music academy. ↳ Offer resources to empower your customers. ——— 6. Add Personal Touches: ↳ Handwritten notes or small gifts make a big impact. ↳ It shows you care. ——— 7. Listen and Adapt: ↳ Engage with your customers. ↳ Get to know their needs and adapt accordingly. ——— In a crowded market, being memorable matters. Small, thoughtful gestures can turn first-time buyers into lifelong fans. Watch my full convo with Sweetwater CEO, Mike Clem: powderkeg.com/innovation-and… — ♻️ Repost to spread the surprise and delight

Make it easy, not hard. The difference between success and stress: In every startup I've worked with, the most valuable players weren’t always the ones with the most skills, but those who could simplify the complex. Be approachable. Communicate clearly. Solve problems proactively. Delegate effectively. Adapt quickly. Being the person who makes things easier rather than harder improves your team. And it makes you indispensable.

It's time to rethink how we use soft skills. They shouldn't be "soft"—they're smart: As Tom Petty sang, "I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings." That sums up my journey as a leader—growing wings in mid-air. In tough situations, we need real skills. Here are 5 smart skills to develop your leadership wings: 1. Be adaptable: ↳ Embrace the unknown. ↳ New opportunities await when you say yes. 2. Stay ready: ↳ Push your limits and be flexible. ↳ Handle anything with a quick response. 3. Understand your feelings: ↳ It's okay to show your emotions. ↳ Communicate them. 4. Be a good team player: ↳ Work together toward a common goal. 5. Be humble: ↳ Admit when you need help. ↳ We’re stronger together. Leadership isn't for the faint-hearted. Like The Beatles said, "I get by with a little help from my friends." And in Powderkeg's executive peer groups, I see this every day. These skills aren't just soft—they're smart.

Ruthless prioritization always beats “hustle” in my book. Learned this the hard way in my 20s. Trying to help everyone ends up helping no one. Consistent, focused execution with a steady hand leads to healthier teams and a happier heart. Always.

Here's a reality check: Your job title is temporary, but your reputation lasts. Rather than fixating on your role or judging others by theirs, prioritize how you treat people. How do you make them feel? Being known for that is way more rewarding than a title alone. Maya Angelou said it best: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Who do you know that needs to hear this?

Creativity isn’t just for artists. It’s a critical business skill. What I've learned playing music with CEOs: At a recent Powderkeg Executive Summit, I had a unique conversation about creativity, vulnerability, and play at work. The discussion was with my good friends and fellow CEOs Max Yoder and Jeb Banner. Here’s how these two top CEOs use play at work: 1. Embrace Experimentation: ↳ Creativity can feel inefficient but it's purely generative ↳ Don’t fear the messiness (it’s part of the process) 2. Distinguish Scary from Dangerous: ↳ Many things are scary but not truly dangerous. ↳ Taking risks in business can feel intimidating, but they’re necessary for growth. 3. Create Safe Spaces for Play: ↳ A playful environment encourages fresh ideas. ↳ this is true whether it’s a jam session or a brainstorming meeting. I remember when Jeb taught me the value of jamming without a plan. As someone who always wanted a clear chord progression, the idea of just playing felt daunting. But those messy, unstructured sessions were transformative. They taught me the importance of letting go and just exploring—lessons that translate directly to how we innovate at Powderkeg. Creativity and play aren’t just for artists; they’re vital for any business to succeed. Embrace experimentation. Recognize the difference between scary and dangerous. Create and curate your environments to encourage fun and play.

Life’s waves come and go. The key is riding them well. The Surfer Mentality: 1. Dive in: ↳ No progress from the shore—get into the action. 2. Accept uncertainty: ↳ The best opportunities often come unexpectedly. 3. Enjoy the ride: ↳ Savor the present without worrying about the end. 4. Position yourself: ↳ Use downtime to prepare for the next opportunity. 5. Choose your waves: ↳ Not every opportunity is worth taking. 6. Get ready: ↳ Use the quiet moments for growth. 7. Adapt to change: ↳ Stay flexible when challenges arise. Life's waves are inevitable. Use The Surfer Mentality & enjoy every ride while it lasts!

Ever felt like your brain is a browser window with a thousand open tabs? Let's talk about how to close the tabs and free up some mental space... When you're "multitasking" through a long to-do list, it can be hard to know where begin. You try to sort through everything and make sense of it all. But you feel like you can't slow down long enough to really get your head above water. This is where anyone can get enormous benefit from a simple practice: Journaling. Journaling is not just about keeping a diary. It's about unlocking a clearer, calmer you. Taking just a few minutes to jot down what’s on your mind can transform how you think and feel. You'll start seeing patterns in your thoughts and emotions, pinpointing exactly what triggers your stress or anxiety. Whether it's the old-school charm of a notebook or the slick convenience of journaling apps, the act of writing can ground you. And it’s not just soothing—it’s strategic. Personally, some of my best business and creative ideas have come from these quiet moments alone with my thoughts. Journaling doesn’t just help you level up personally. It can be a serious power-boost for your work. There are tons of great journaling techniques and it’s completely free. When was the last time you sat down with a pen and a blank page?

Curiosity isn't just a trait. It's a tool. 11 ways great leaders use curiosity to grow: I asked our Executive community at Powderkeg about how they use curiosity an empathy to help their teams perform at the highest level. These tips can transform your own leadership: 1. Share Your Curiosity: ↳ Start with yourself. ↳ Share what intrigues you and check in regularly. 2. Ask “Tell Me More” Questions: ↳ Dive deeper into successes and failures. ↳ This opens up new perspectives. 3. Stay Curious During Setbacks: ↳ Lead with curiosity, not judgment, when things go wrong. 4. Create a Curiosity Channel: ↳ Use platforms like Slack to share discoveries and spark discussions. 5. Showcase Results Creatively: ↳ Make learning fun with engaging formats for sharing insights. 6. Host Tech Talks: ↳ Encourage team members to present new trends and technologies. 7. Embrace Vulnerability: ↳ Allocate time for personal updates and foster an open culture. 8. Ask Provocative Questions: ↳ Challenge your team with questions that ignite curiosity. 9. Organize Lunch-and-Learns: ↳ Facilitate knowledge sharing across different team areas. 10. Celebrate Cultural Holidays: ↳ Promote curiosity by acknowledging diverse traditions. 11. Use Gamification: ↳ Make learning and collaboration fun through game-like activities. Building a workplace where curiosity thrives isn’t just beneficial. It’s essential. Want to dive deeper? Check out the advice from Executive Council members in this free guide: powderkeg.com/how-to-build-h…

Relationships are investments, not transactions. 7 ways to build stronger relationships: 1. Reach Out - Check in without a specific reason. 2. Be Genuine - Care about people beyond work. 3. Give Value - Share resources that help others. 4. Celebrate Wins - Acknowledge achievements. 5. Assist - Offer help before asking for favors. 6. Follow Up - Maintain regular contact. 7. Be Patient - Relationships take time. Invest in your relationships genuinely and consistently. When you launch your next project, you'll have a strong, supportive network. Relationships are investments, not transactions. The sooner you learn this, the better your network will be.