1. Develop Coaching Skills to Enhance Leadership: Example: Leaders who learn coaching techniques can better engage their teams and create a more collaborative work environment.
2. Use External Coaches for Objective Support: Example: An external coach provides unbiased feedback and a safe space for discussing sensitive issues, unlike a boss who may struggle to remain impartial.
Invest in high-quality content even at a significant financial loss to establish a strong market presence and attract future business opportunities.
Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, revealed that his Amazon reality TV show ‘Beast Games’ cost him tens of millions of dollars. Despite the financial implications, Donaldson expresses no regrets about his investment. The show, which includes a variety of challenges for contestants, aired its final episode of the first season on February 13, 2025, and attracted over 50 million viewers within just 25 days, demonstrating that significant investments can yield substantial viewer engagement. Donaldson admitted spending over $15 million on the first episode’s set and $14 million on the second episode’s set, contributing to a total production cost exceeding its $100 million budget. He emphasized his commitment to delivering quality content, stating that he couldn’t let the YouTube community down. The success of ‘Beast Games’ is now paving the way for other creators to secure lucrative deals, showcasing how high-stakes investments in content creation can enhance industry opportunities.
Ivan Zhao, CEO of Notion, emphasizes hiring C-level executives with integrity and creating a team dynamic that leverages diverse skills. He acknowledges that founders often lack experience in scaling operations, and integrating experienced executives is crucial. This approach helps companies balance founder vision with professional management expertise, enabling growth while maintaining company culture.
Zhao has worked with two coaches over six years to examine his leadership tendencies. This ongoing commitment to personal growth and self-reflection helps him navigate the challenges of leading a growing company. CEOs can adopt this practice of long-term coaching to continuously improve their leadership skills and adapt to changing business needs.
INC – Inc.com columnist Alison Green answers questions about workplace and management issues. He criticizes strongly that managers force employees to place their stickers for feelings in the sticker charts to boost morale and engagement. She emphasizes that employees should not be treated as children. Adult employees typically seek meaningful work, respect, fair compensation, and opportunities for growth rather than trivial rewards. Alison also points out that while sticker charts and similar tactics might provide a temporary boost in morale, they do not lead to long-term engagement or loyalty. Instead, these methods can feel patronizing and ultimately undermine employees’ trust and respect for their managers.