Sweating the Small Stuff with Steven Bartlett (Part 1)
Aug 22, 2023
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Steven Bartlett, a leader for the new era, shares his journey from dropout to influential entrepreneur. Topics include the importance of focus and consistency, learning from others' experiences, filling the knowledge and skills buckets, embracing tension, building a clear culture, and the impact of sweating the small stuff on leadership.
Focus on progress and vulnerability for personal and professional growth.
Maintain discipline and resist distractions during periods of success.
Find intrinsic motivation and pursue work aligned with personal interests for true ambition.
Deep dives
The Power of Vulnerability and Progress
Stephen Bartlett, a successful entrepreneur and influential voice, shares his journey from being a broke university dropout to a millionaire by the age of 23. In part one of their conversation, Stephen opens up about his motivations and the realization that his early ambitions were driven by insecurity rather than true ambition. He emphasizes the importance of progress and the power of vulnerability in personal and professional growth. Stephen's company, Dirova CEO, focuses on creating a culture centered around high standards, progress, and a sense of purpose. He believes that providing challenge, autonomy, and a sense of worthwhile work enables team members to thrive and achieve their best work.
The Importance of Maintaining Focus
Stephen emphasizes the significance of maintaining focus during periods of success. He shares his observation of entrepreneurs who became distracted by new opportunities and lost sight of their initial success. Stephen emphasizes the need for discipline and the willingness to say 'no' even during times of growth. Drawing from personal experiences and the examples of others, he highlights the importance of resisting temptation and staying committed to a core strategy, especially when things are going well.
Discovering Real Ambition
Stephen reflects on his early motivations, which were driven by insecurity and a desire for validation. He shares the realization that true ambition is rooted in intrinsic desires and passions rather than external rewards. Stephen encourages individuals to find their 'o-shigai,' a Japanese concept referring to an activity that brings joy, fulfillment, and purpose. He emphasizes the importance of pursuing work that aligns with personal interests and provides a sense of intrinsic motivation, rather than pursuing goals solely for external validation or monetary gain.
Building a Culture of High Standards and Progress
Stephen shares insights into building a high-performance team and fostering a culture of high standards and progress. He emphasizes the importance of progress as a motivational factor and highlights the need to provide challenge and a sense of forward motion to keep individuals engaged. Stephen's company, Dirova CEO, places great importance on developing a sense of progress, autonomy, and a belief in the subjective worthiness of the work being done. By holding individuals to high standards and promoting progress, the team is motivated and united in their pursuit of collective success.
The Power of Openness and Vulnerability
Stephen embraces vulnerability and openness in his leadership style and personal life. He acknowledges his ongoing struggles and insecurities, which he believes contribute to personal growth and connection with others. Stephen's willingness to be open about his mental health, unresolved issues, and metrics-driven mindset sets him apart as a leader. He believes that success and openness are not mutually exclusive and that a healthy balance between high standards, vulnerability, and authenticity leads to personal and professional growth.
Steven Bartlett embodies this old adage. His high standards and focus on the finest details launched him from a broke university dropout to one of the world’s most influential entrepreneurs.
At 30-years-old he has already founded multiple companies, starred on Britain’s hit tv show Dragon’s Den, and he is now the host of one of the planet’s most popular podcasts, Diary of a CEO.
He is a leader for the new era. It was a joy to turn the tables on him and have him talk about himself for a change.
His new book, Diary of a CEO, is available for pre-order now.