Dear fellow CEOs,
Let me say this plainly: if you’re not out there shaking hands, asking questions, making sales, listening to your customers, and showing up where it counts—you’re doing it wrong.
Too many leaders have slipped into the comfort of spreadsheets, meetings, and “strategic alignment sessions” that go nowhere. Meanwhile, the heartbeat of your business—the customers, the community, the partners—is ticking away outside your office window. You’re not managing a spreadsheet. You’re leading a living, breathing organisation.
And here’s the thing—I see it too many times in mentoring sessions. CEOs and founders paralysed by perfection or held hostage by the fear of rejection. Don’t let perfection stand in the way of progress. And don’t let fear of hearing “no” stop you from getting out there and having the right conversations.
This isn’t about micromanaging operations—leave that to the talented people you hired. It’s about being the chief stakeholder manager, relationship builder, culture shaper and yes, sometimes the chief salesperson. It’s about being present. Visible. Engaged.
Walk the shop floor. Visit your top clients. Drop into the local business chamber or footy club. Not because it’s good PR (though it is), but because people buy from people—and the most powerful brand your business has is you.
Your community needs to know you’re in the game. Your customers need to know you care. Your staff need to see that their leader backs them and believes in what they do.
Leadership isn’t a job title—it’s action.
So, here’s my challenge: Get off your arse. Get out there. Be seen. Be heard. Be felt.
Because no one ever inspired loyalty, built a movement, or closed the big deal from behind a desk.
Yours in action, Colin
