Thoughtful conversations on judgment, decision-making under uncertainty & sustained success for experienced independent leaders building meaningful businesses.
Joined June 2012
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Joe Hill spent 20 years in tech before launching his own cybersecurity business. He's living the tension every independent leader knows: freedom to decide everything—and the weight of deciding alone.
👇 Podcast episode link in comments
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We're looking for experienced independent leaders to join the conversation on Smashing the Plateau.
If you've built a sustainable practice, navigated plateaus, and made difficult tradeoffs worth reflecting on—we'd love to hear from you.
🎙️ Apply link in comments. 👇
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After years of running your own practice, what's the hardest part of decision-making without corporate infrastructure?
🔵 No feedback loops to validate thinking
🟢 Carrying strategic decisions alone
🟡 Knowing when to pivot vs. stay
🔴 Trusting judgment when stakes are high
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Gut instinct got you here. But sustaining growth requires clearer signals.
In this episode, Kirsten Graham shares how experienced business owners can use financial data to make confident decisions—without becoming accountants.
👇 Link in comments.
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"Community accelerates learning. It's like placing logs together—when one is burning, the others catch fire too. That's the mutual fuel that propels everyone forward." — Philip VanDusen
Who's been the spark in YOUR community? 👇
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Long-term client relationships are the foundation of a sustainable practice.
What's worked best for YOU in keeping clients engaged over time?
🔵 Regular check-ins
🟢 Unexpected value beyond scope
🟡 Curiosity about their challenges
🔴 Staying visible via content
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Want insights on building a more sustainable independent practice? 📬 smashingtheplateau.com/news
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The independent leaders in our community who have the most stable practices aren't chasing new clients constantly. They're deepening relationships with existing ones. Retention beats acquisition.
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In my experience, it's the check-ins with no agenda that build the deepest loyalty. When clients know you're thinking about them—not just when there's a project—trust compounds over years.
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Visibility doesn't require a big team—it requires clarity and consistency.
In this episode, Jane Wesman shares how experienced solopreneurs can build sustainable visibility and hold their own against larger players.
👇 Link in comments.
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Get weekly insights on sustaining your independent practice: 📬 smashingtheplateau.com/news
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Ready to rethink how you approach visibility as an independent leader? 🎧 smashingtheplateau.com/episo…
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What stood out: you don't need a big team to sustain visibility. Jane shows how experienced independent leaders can build presence with the right strategies and mindset—without losing themselves in the process.
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Jane's approach reframes self-promotion: it's not about "selling yourself"—it's about making it easier for the right people to find you. That shift makes visibility feel sustainable, not exhausting.
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You don't get what you don't ask for.
Jeannie Dougherty: "The power of community is that when you ask, people respond. They offer honesty, share real experiences, and remind you that kindness and generosity are never forgotten."
When did you last ask for help—and get it? 👇
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Weekly insights on navigating independent leadership: 📬 smashingtheplateau.com/news
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Looking for a community of experienced leaders where asking is welcomed, not judged? 👉 smashingtheplateau.com/
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In our community, I've watched this play out dozens of times. A seasoned leader asks a vulnerable question, and the responses pour in—not judgment, but real experiences and honest perspective.
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The fear of asking usually comes from fear of appearing less capable. But Jeannie's point reframes it: when you ask, you're giving others the opportunity to contribute. Most experienced peers want to help—they just need to be asked.
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Even after years of running your own business, challenges evolve.
What's requiring the most judgment from you right now?
🔵 Saying no to opportunities
🟢 Navigating a growth plateau
🟡 Delivery vs. staying visible
🔴 Replacing corporate feedback loops
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Want weekly insights on navigating these exact challenges? 📬 smashingtheplateau.com/news
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