Maintaining work-life balance is key; prioritize health and rest for sustainable productivity.
Emphasize hiring for attitude over skillset; address toxic employees promptly for positive team dynamics.
Deep dives
Balancing Work and Self-Care
Maintaining a balance between intense work and self-care is crucial. Stephen emphasizes finding a consistent level of intensity that can be sustained over the long term, prioritizing health and personal well-being. This approach involves working diligently but also recognizing when rest or me-time is essential, promoting a sustainable work ethic.
Effective Hiring and Firing Practices
Stephen discusses the significance of hiring slow and firing fast in ensuring the right team dynamics. Emphasizing the importance of a candidate's attitude and character over just skillset, he highlights the impact of toxic employees on organizational culture. By remaining discerning in recruitment and prompt in addressing mismatched hires, companies can maintain a positive work environment.
Empathy and Growth in Adversity
Encouraging self-empathy and growth in challenging situations, Stephen advocates for acknowledging personal limitations and adjusting intensity levels accordingly. Reflecting on failures and setbacks as integral parts of the journey, he underscores the value of understanding oneself and embracing self-improvement. By learning from mistakes and maintaining a forward-looking mindset, individuals can navigate obstacles with resilience.
Personal Development Strategies
Stephen shares practical strategies for personal development, such as meditation and workouts, as tools for introspection and relaxation. Exploring various forms of 'escape' like music, gym sessions, and solitary walks, he underscores the importance of finding moments of introspection within a busy schedule. By integrating practices that foster mental well-being and self-awareness, individuals can enhance their overall growth and productivity.
My guest today is Steven Bartlett, the 28-year-old founder of social media marketing agency Social Chain. From a bedroom in Manchester, Steven dropped out of his university course and built what would become one of the world’s most influential social media companies at just 21 years old, before taking his company public at 27 with a market valuation of almost £200m. Steven’s debut book, 'Happy Sexy Millionaire, is a Sunday Times Bestseller and more recently Steven and I chatted on his own podcast about self-belief, mental health, running a business and pretty much everything in between. I’m excited to have him here today to continue that conversation.
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Working Hard, Hardly Working is produced by Burning Bright Audio, the series producer is Ben Tulloh, editing by Stuart Beckwith and video editing by Chris Ahjem.
