Negotiate Anything The Hidden Cost of Leadership: Why Doing the Right Thing Still Hurts
Oct 23, 2025
Mahesh Guruswamy, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Kickstarter and author of *How to Deliver Bad News and Get Away with It*, shares profound insights on leadership. He discusses why the hardest decisions often lead to the greatest outcomes and the importance of authenticity over ambition. Mahesh emphasizes the emotional cost of leadership, recounting personal challenges and the necessity of tough conversations. He also explores how gratitude and perspective shape a meaningful career while advocating for risk-taking and learning from failure.
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Choose Gratitude Deliberately
- Mahesh frames gratitude as a deliberate choice that counters the brain's negativity bias.
- He uses perspective (immigrant background, early low salary) to remind himself to stay grateful.
Happier On Far Less
- Mahesh and his wife realized they were happier on much lower salaries earlier in their careers.
- That contrast taught them to pause and appreciate current blessings instead of endless chasing.
Pick Your Reference Point
- Kwame links immigrant perspective to choosing better reference points for satisfaction.
- Changing the comparison baseline restores appreciation and reduces envy.
