Read time: 2.5 minutes

Let me tell you about Dean.

Not a beginner man at all.

But, a C-level financial executive with 35+ years of experience.

He had led multi-billion-dollar projects, managed thousands of people, and sat in boardrooms with the most powerful names in the government.

But despite all that?

He felt powerless.

• The smallest criticisms would throw him off—one offhand remark from a colleague could derail his whole day.

• He’d wake up feeling stressed before the day even started. The moment he opened his eyes, his brain was already racing with work fires.

• He felt scattered and reactive, constantly in problem-solving mode instead of actually leading his team.

Everyone assumes that as you rise higher in your career, decisions get easier.

You feel more in control. You stop overthinking.

The truth?

For many entrepreneurs, the exact opposite happens.

As stakes are higher, failures are bigger, and things start to spiral out of control.

This was Dean’s reality.

Every morning, before his feet even touched the ground, his brain was already in crisis mode.

At night, he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, playing back conversations from 10 hours ago.

And during the day?

He felt like he was putting out fires instead of leading.

He knew something had to change.

So we got to work.

All it took? One week.

1/ Handling Criticism Without Losing Confidence

Before → One negative comment could ruin his whole day.

Now → He stays composed, processes information, and responds with authority.

In a team meeting, a junior employee subtly questioned one of his decisions.

Normally?

Dean would have snapped.

Instead, he paused. Listened. Responded with a calm, collected answer.

His team felt the shift.

They started respecting his leadership more.

Not because he dominated the conversation, but because he no longer let his emotions lead the room.

2/ Starting the Day Strong Instead of Stressed

Dean’s mornings used to be a mess—he’d wake up and immediately feel behind.

Now, he starts his day deliberately.

• Controlling his breathing before checking his phone.

• Focusing on his leadership identity before reacting to emails.

• Smiling as soon as he wakes up (a small but powerful mental & physiological shift).

His wife even joked, “You’re acting different… in a good way.”

3/ Shifting from Problems to Solutions

Dean used to go to his higher-ups only with problems.

By week one, he stopped that completely.

Now, every time he presents an issue, he presents at least two possible solutions.

His boss noticed. His team noticed. And most importantly?

He noticed.

And this was just Week 1.

What This Means for You

Most entrepreneurs think they need more strategies.

They think if they:

• Read another book, they’ll find clarity.

• Hire another consultant, they’ll fix the business.

• Wait for the right moment, they’ll finally feel ready to lead.

But at a certain level, strategy isn’t the bottleneck.

YOU are.

If you’re feeling stuck, overthinking, or drowning in high-pressure decisions—this is the work that changes everything.

This Is Exactly What I Help My Clients Do in The Founder’s Edge

I help entrepreneurs who struggle with the weight of leadership, scaling companies, and personal fulfilment.

So if you’ve been trying to grow your business but can’t seem to grow yourself—or if you feel trapped in the same mental patterns that are holding you back…

I’m opening up spots for 2 people to work with me 1-on-1.

We’ll map out a clear strategy to help you:

• Lead with unshakable confidence.

• Make high-stakes decisions without hesitation.

• Scale your business without feeling mentally exhausted.

Imagine being able to:

• Work just 6 hours a day—without sacrificing output.

• Be fully present with your family—without your mind drifting back to work.

• Make fast, confident decisions—without second-guessing or getting stuck in mental loops.

If that’s what you need, reply to this email with “I’m in” and I’ll send you the details.

Thanks for reading.

Much Love,

Julian