Very often, they say, it’s “lonely at the top.”
For an entrepreneur who is able to mold and shape their world, I don’t understand why someone would accept this.
As a previous CEO myself and as someone who currently leads a team, I realize it can get lonely. But that’s only my reality if I choose to live there.
When I show up with others, I show up fully.
I allow myself to be seen.
It’s important to allow ourselves to be truly seen as a entrepreneur. It’s even more valuable when we’re able to have someone who can engage us on our level.
Often, we experience challenges, or problems, or frustrations, because of the way we see the world.
I’m talking about the blind spot that you may not be conscious of. For the average person, blind spots have limited impact. For entrepreneurs, blind spots are multiplied and impact more than people. They can create missed opportunity, lost revenue, health issues, and more.
The introspective experience is about strengthening your foundation so that you execute against your vision efficiently and effectively.
Introspection is about foundational-work. It’s not about answers, it’s about clarity. Perspective. Truth. Insight.
What happens to a tree with shallow roots and dangerously fast winds? Remarkable introspective experiences deepen the roots. It’s about growth. It’s about intensity of conviction.
I wouldn’t plant a tree in an area with limited opportunity for the growth of roots. I believe humans are capable of more. We are limited by nothing but ourselves.
It is often said that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. That’s true of apples, but we’re not apples. We’re humans. And as humans with brains capable of change until our last breath, I believe we can proactively choose our reality. You can choose to stay beneath your tree. Or you can choose to fall off a cliff and soar to greater heights.
This is about your default future. It’s the future limited by only what you can see for yourself.
I think in terms of legacy. We can say “everything happens for a reason.” Or we can say “everything happens for a reason we rationalize.” What reality do you want to rationalize? Does it serve you?
As a human, capable of great impact, we must determine who to allow into our lives and understand how that affects us.
This article contains what I do as an Introspective Agent.
Who benefits the most from introspection
Introspective experiences are for you if you have an intense desire to learn and grow. It’s for those who value sustainable personal growth.
Introspective experiences are for you if you value and play for the long-term. What we learn today serves us tomorrow.
Introspective experiences are for you if you want more than to share with friends and family without being fully understood. More importantly, it’s for those who want to be deeply engaged.
Introspective experiences are for you if you value an objective voice who understands how to ask questions and how to create insight. Venture capitalists and other investors, by nature, cannot provide objective feedback when their interest is financial return.
Introspective experiences are for you if you desire to show up fully and do great work.
Introspective experiences are for you if you respect your unique perspective and are open to your blind spots.
Introspective experiences are for you if you value self-improvement and your impact in the world.
Introspective experiences are for you if you care about mastering the paradoxes of life.
Introspective experiences are for you if you have a healthy sense of humility.
Introspective experiences are for you if you invest in your vision and do not forget to invest in your foundation to execute against that vision.
Introspective experiences are for you if you understand the value of emotional intelligence (EQi).
Introspective experiences are for you if you understand the value of openly sharing in a safe environment. It’s for those who know that bottling in emotions and uncertainty and fears can result in burnout or failure.
Introspective experiences are for you if you understand that what brought you here won’t get you there.
The purpose of an introspective experience
An introspective agent creates an introspective experience.
Creating an introspective experience is art.
Creating an introspective experience is the creative ability to create connection, insight, clarity, and perspective, for the person being served.
An introspective experience is about the vision game. It’s about strengthening your inner foundation in the interest of a greater vision.
An introspective experience is about powerful communication that creates impact to change someone’s life.
An introspective experience helps you identify potential points of failure or opportunities you may miss.
An introspective experience is about avoiding failure and burnout.
An introspective experience is about sharing your deepest fears and dreams.
An introspective experience is about encouragement, support, accountability, and pushing past your limits with someone who’s responsibility is to make you better. It's self-awareness.
An introspective experience is about reframing to help you gain perspective.
An introspective experience is about bringing out your strengths and helping you execute against them.
An introspective experience is about gaining awareness and knowledge of self and others.
An introspective experience is about your happiness and success.
An introspective experience is about mastering your psychology.
An introspective experience is about shaking up your perception of reality.
Introspective experiences are about who you can become.
What happens during an introspective experience
Short answer: It depends. What do you want?
What future do you want to create for yourself?
What situations do you want insight, perspective, and clarity on?
What challenges are you facing?
How open are you willing to be?
What experiences do you want to talk through to see if there is room for improvement?
What areas of your life do you want to go deeper on to better understand yourself or others?
Do you want to better understand how your leadership style impacts others?
Introspective experiences are led by an introspective agent who asks questions and rarely shares answers.
Characteristics of an Introspective Agent
An Introspective Agent knows how to listen and be empathetic.
An Introspective Agent creates a safe environment and is non-judgemental.
An Introspective Agent allows you to find your own answers. It’s about asking questions, not sharing answers.
An Introspective Agent understands they are limited by how far they’ve taken themselves and continue to invest in themselves.
An Introspective Agent asks powerful questions. Sometimes, uncomfortable questions.
An Introspective Agent is trustworthy and respects your confidentiality.
An Introspective Agent doesn’t always accept what they hear.
An Introspective Agent respects the context of the person they’re serving.
An Introspective Agent shows up to serve.
An Introspective Agent is behind the scenes, has nothing to prove, and is not interested in hearing themselves speak.
An Introspective Agent is intuitive, perceptive, and a relator.
An Introspective Agent limits their client-pool to those they know they can serve best.
An Introspective Agent is purposeful and inspirational.
An Introspective Agent knows when to be playful to offset the seriousness.
An Introspective Agent asks tough questions and doesn’t back off.
An Introspective Agent is genuine. This can only be felt.
An Introspective Agent understands and respects critical thinking, the mind, and our shared human biology.
An Introspective Agent avoids negative thought.
An Introspective Agent builds leaders.
This is about self-awareness. Perspective.
Your external world is a result of your internal world.
A great introspective agent understands you.
How you can get the most out of an introspective experience
Be vulnerable and allow yourself to be truly seen.
What you do not reveal cannot be enhanced.
Show up to share everything – how you are, how you feel, what you want. Share things you haven't shared with anyone else.
Overcommunicate as deep and open as possible. The more effort you put into the experience, the more you will get out.
Want your own personal growth more than the Introspective Agent wants it for you.
Focus on the introspective experience and the questions being asked. Distraction only limits you.
After the experience, take time to reflect to deepen your learning.
Introspective experiences are deeper than friendship.
Do you want to try an introspective experience? Learn more now.
