The Burden of Business
Bassam Salem
Founder & Former CEO, AtlasRTX; Founder, Mindshare Ventures; Trustee, University of Utah
I have paid a high price over the past six years.
I used to think of myself as a sometimes flawed but generally well-intentioned person. Those who knew me well would agree that, even though I was (and still am) very ambitious, I was paradoxically not competitive at all. I felt that I had few adversaries as I treated people with a degree of kindness. I felt like I was generally well-liked.
That started to change six years ago as I became an entrepreneur, business owner, and financier. I had to deliver messages I'd never had to deliver before. I had to make painful, difficult decisions that I'd never had to make before. And I had to stand alone as the only enforcer of unpopular mandates that I believed necessary.
After decades of being a "good guy", six years of having to do all of that have changed me.
I've become much more jaded. I discovered that my temper, previously rarely exposed, can challenge me for control. I'm now easily hurt. I'm emotionally fragile. I'm able to be a jerk when called for, something I didn't know was within me.
For the first time in my life, I have a number of detractors and adversaries.
For the first time in my life, I have had to accept that certain people will never like me again.
For the first time in my life, I've lost friendships due to hiring and firing decisions.
What's upsetting is that I've begun to accept all of this as a new me.
I don't like my status quo but don't see a way out until I'm no longer shouldering the burden of business. And even then, I won't be able to undo the past.
But I haven't come this far to only come this far.
Thus, I must continue. I must do do knowing that there is a real and heavy price to owning a business beyond my investment of time and money. It's a price rarely discussed because it's experienced by a few.
I am sharing my experiences transparently so as those considering entrepreneurship can have a complete calculus. I miss the old me.
Kovach Marketing CEO/Owner
3 年Great Message... and great presentation at GSMC.
President Nerve Park City
3 年Bassam Salem thank you for your painfully honest assessment of what so few have had to sacrifice to achieve what they view as their full potential. It is a fine line between supporting and enabling, encouraging and coddling, accountability and criticism. What I have come to realize is that while we may have great respect for those we invite to be a part of our team, only the captain of the ship can truly understand the rigors of the journey or how much we will depend on them to stay the course. Here is to all those intrepid sailors that stick with us even when we doubt ourselves, push to hard or threaten the "plank"
As a former business founder and owner, I can relate to all you have said. One of the hardest challenges in my life has been that while trying to build up people and things—while trying to accomplish something significant and beneficial—it is impossible to avoid angering or disappointing others. It is a lonely road at times. However, I believe that any person who has ever accomplished anything significant in life has often stood in the shoes you have just described.
AVP, Partner and Product at CRMNEXT
3 年Walking away from a bad sales deal or a poor hiring choice can be the most freeing move ever for someone in your position. The energy and cycles that get burned, trying to make something work that is a poor fit - can be used for such better things. Sure, not everyone will love you, but you are responsible to the success of your business and your business is dependent on your energy. Thanks for the candor as always - Bassam Salem - always looking forward to your commentary!
Investor | Business Executive | Change Agent | Performance Improvement
3 年Bassam Salem - great point. You can participate in creating the future or let it be created for you!