"A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: We did it ourselves." - Lao Tzu
It was a year ago when I was sitting at Midtown, our local wireless work cafe, when the idea was first planted in my head.. "You need a CEO to get this business where it needs to go."
"What?" I asked. "You can get a CEO?" The conversation turned into a bid for a local angel conference and the surprise upset win. The investment committee was inspired by my desire and willingness to let someone else build and scale my business.
The first guy had to quit before he started... The next guy was less of a interview selection and more of a person to fill a desperate need. It was not a good decision-making process and ended up not to be the right fit. It was also a bit of an awkward break up too, as the ex-leadership remain in the investor group. So here I am again, looking for the right person to come and tap this amazing business potential.
An affirmation beyond my wildest dreams is the quantity and unbelievable quality of the applicants. Executives with world class skills and experience in a vast diversity of industries and locations. It is entirely thrilling, emboldening and humbling to talk to this caliber of talent about my dream business and have so many reflect back how impressed they are by the branding and differentiating I have brought to the space.
Suddenly life feels like nothing but possibility again. Einstein said, "When the solution is simple, God is answering." What a gift to have so many remarkable people to select from that the most difficult part will be in choosing the right one. Trusting the process while learning how to develop a reliable method of evaluation and priorities is the next growth cycle.
Like the bulb shoots pushing up through the cold soil here in the Northwest, this CEO search is grounded deep in the roots of my company mission. Staying focused and committed to what keeps you coming back to your promises is at once the history and future of the Good Clean Love story.
I can't tell you exactly what will happen next in this story but being in it gets more interesting every day. It definitely has a happy ending. I can't wait to see the next chapter unfold.
