From Start-Up to Grown-Up #102 Robert Glazer — Serial Entrepreneur on the Most Important Tool for Success
Robert Glazer is the founder of Acceleration Partners, a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and a leading voice on how values shape leadership. In this episode, Bob shares why stepping down from the company he built triggered a surprising crisis of meaning, how that experience led him to write The Compass Within, and how helping people clarify their core values has become his new personal mission.
Bob opens up about the link between pain and passion, the power of writing and brand-building for impact, and why success often leaves high achievers feeling empty until they redefine what it means. He also discusses parenting through a values-first lens, the danger of protecting kids from disappointment, and what happens when founders skip the inner work.
Whether you're a founder, leader, or someone navigating your next chapter, this episode offers a clear, grounded path toward meaning, alignment, and better decision-making.
Where to find Bob:
Timestamps:
(00:00) Redefining success after stepping down as CEO
(04:00) Why overachievement never feels like enough
(05:20) Lessons from Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks
(06:30) Building a life around one core value
(08:18) The ripple effect of leadership
(10:24) Bob’s daily dashboard and time-blocking system
(13:45) How to focus in a world full of distraction
(15:32) Why building a platform matters
(17:00) Imposter syndrome and the long game of brand-building
(19:06) Parenting with purpose and avoiding overprotection
(22:26) A story of failure, transfer, and self-advocacy
(26:52) Bob’s new book, The Compass Within
(29:37) Making the big three life decisions with values in mind
(32:45) The power of identifying your values through pain
(35:35) Trust, self-awareness, and leading from values
(38:30) The six questions to uncover your personal core values
(41:34) Why one-word values fall short
(43:43) Bonus question: tracing childhood roots of values
(47:23) Company values that are lived, not laminated
(49:26) Mission to Mars and value DNA extraction
(52:22) Behavioral interviews that screen for culture fit
(55:48) Rituals and rewards that reinforce company values
(57:43) The J&J Tylenol recall and values in hard decisions
(58:32) What Bob hopes readers take from The Compass Within
(01:00:22) What Bob wishes he knew earlier
(01:02:59) Founders need mentors, masterminds, and a few steps ahead
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