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For many entrepreneurs, success feels like a cruel zero-sum game. Previous generations have created an atmosphere that professional success requires sacrificing personal fulfillment, and that true dedication requires burning the candle at both ends.
In 2016, this mindset started to eat away at me. I was trapped in what I call the entrepreneurial “either/or lie” — the distorted idea that I could be successful both personally and professionally, when in reality, both were possible. During this time, a life filled with personal growth and professional success seemed unattainable to me.
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This inner conflict triggered a shift in how I thought and spent my time. I invested in myself and made time for a passion I had long neglected: cycling. This seemingly simple act of self-care came with consequences: I had to delegate more work within the company to make room for these activities. This forced us to face a harsh reality: would our business model be strong enough to support my reduced involvement? It became a crash course in building systems and cultivating a culture of trust.
Flash forward to the fall of 2018. Home Care Pulse, the company I poured my heart and soul into, had undergone an incredible transformation. The company had become a “self-propagating organism” and was thriving with little need for my day-to-day intervention. This newfound stability transformed what was once just an idea into a bold decision to step down as CEO.
However, before handing over the baton, my leadership team suggested that I take a seven-week leave. This was the final test for me and my team. Could the company really operate without a captain? Although the foundation had been laid, the idea of ​​stepping down was still daunting. My lack of confidence was putting me under a lot of pressure. However, the confidence that had grown in my team finally motivated me to take action. I was optimistic that my team would not just survive, but thrive without me.
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From confidence to competence
The first week was a trying one. I was constantly fighting the urge to reach out — to offer guidance and make sure I was there just in case. Though my concern was genuine for the well-being of the company and my team, I was honestly haunted by fears of being left behind. Thankfully, my wife, the voice of reason, stepped in. She reminded me of the true purpose of a sabbatical: to foster self-reliance in my leadership team, which can only be achieved by letting them completely steer their own ship.
Perhaps expectations were hard at the beginning. To be honest, we weren’t sure how they would handle business operations or anything else. Thankfully, they were champions. They followed the process we created, adjusted as needed, and continued to sell their services without a hitch.
Upon my return, I was greeted by a team filled with relief and pride. They explained everything that had happened in my absence. They exuded competence and confidence in every word they spoke. It was an emotional homecoming that proved what trust and empowerment can do for a company and its employees. I was honestly moved to tears by the depth of their growth.
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The Power of Letting Go
This time off solidified my decision to step down as CEO. Watching the team grow in my absence convinced me that it was the right time for me to take a different path. My entrepreneurial talent lies more in starting new businesses from scratch.
The company was reaching a stage of maturity that required a different type of leadership, but I no longer felt I was the best person to provide that leadership, so my stepping down was a strategic move to allow the company to reach new heights.
After I left, Home Care Pulse experienced record growth. Rather than feeling humiliated, I felt validated. I knew I had started something truly amazing and impactful, which laid the foundation for the growth we are experiencing today. Without my personal transformation in 2016, my commitment to building robust processes, and most importantly, my trust in my team, the company would not be in the position it is today. The journey has been incredibly rewarding and a master class in the power of letting go.
Today, our company continues to grow, with an incredible team working hard every day to ensure success on all fronts. My seven-week sabbatical not only gave me a long-awaited break, it was also a turning point in building trust and witnessing incredible changes in each of us. It was a powerful reminder that true success doesn’t come from clinging to control, but from empowering others to soar.
