Seen.
Blitz Spirit.
We've seen businesses go through extraordinary times in the past weeks.
Whilst the threat of more disruption still looms, we're seeing many founders thinking about how will they lead their teams into the future, as they inch into the latest new normal.
Each business now has a story. Some of heroism, of teams going above and beyond to cope with adversity - a "blitz spirit". Others have stories of unexpected sudden new success. Others have stories of reluctant goodbyes, loss and endings.
We've been inspired by founders who are helping people reflect on the narratives of the past months. There's no doubt these stories will be told for decades to come.
We're equally inspired by founders who are confident enough to be vulnerable - and acknowledge they don't know what's next.
Whatever the story has been and will be for your business, leadership has never felt more important.
Read.
Spirits Up.
Whilst written prior to Covid, Factfulness by Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling and Anna Rosling Roennlund explores the extensive evidence that when we look at longer timescales, the world is getting better. These data are often ignored by the media, and we found the book a powerful antidote to the doom and gloom that can dominate public debate.
It reminded us that the job of media is selling content. Making people angry or scared is an effective way to do this, so they focus on what's bad and wrong.
The truth about the world is more subtle and a more uplifting story, that Hans, Ola and Anna share.
Similarly in our businesses we can get stuck on the short-term bad news. It can be easy to focus on fixing the bad, rather than pursuing the better. We've seen this become a culture of negativity. Over time this can erode motivation, and limit growth.
Perhaps think back to where your business was two, five or even ten years ago. What's better? How could you celebrate this?
Learned.
Founder Spirit.
If you've founded a business, you're probably ambitious. Almost by definition.
So what's the role of ambition for founders?
As a founder, what are you ambitious for? What's your ambition for yourself and the life you want to lead? What's your ambition for your business, your team and your investors?
Do you have enough ambition? Is that limiting you from seizing bigger opportunities?
Do you have too much? Does that get in the way of being proud of your achievements, or mean you exhaust or exasperate those around you?
What learning would exploring these questions offer you and your business?
And finally.
Having returned from our break over the summer, wanted to say thanks for our first reviews on iTunes for our podcast. We're proud (and quite relieved) that they've been rather good.
We'd love to hear more feedback, and if anything we've shared resonates with you or has helped take action in your business. Do drop us a line at hello@atomex.co.uk.
Don’t forget to check out the accompanying podcast version of #founderhacks for a tantalising live experience of team atomex!
