Embracing imperfection with Nick Smarrelli

After the First Million

How do you come to terms with the possibility that you might not be the ideal person to lead your company long-term?

This is the story of Nick Smarrelli, a 10x Inc. 5000 winner and former CEO of GadellNet. During his time there, he helped them expand from 10 to over 200 employees. To say he successfully navigated the complex challenges of entrepreneurship would be an understatement. In this episode, Nick shares the emotional journey of leadership through a pandemic, the shift from corporate comfort to entrepreneurial risk, and embracing vulnerability and imperfection as a leader.

Join Matt and Nick as they explore the pressures of leadership and Nick’s transformative decision to pass on the torch.

Key takeaways:

• Leadership Vulnerability: Vulnerability has a profound impact on leadership. For Nick, this altered his approach from maintaining a facade of perfection to embracing imperfections and hiring smarter talents to complement his skills.
• Process and Structure: Discipline, structured processes, and hiring the right people are pivotal in ensuring scalability and addressing a company's emotional and operational challenges.
• Shift in Purpose: Realizing your purpose has changed is okay. It’s not a weakness but rather a strength that it is time to make a change.

Time stamps:

00:00 Meet Nick Smarrelli

06:14 Learning from mistakes, embracing challenges, and growth

09:39 Curiosity is essential for entrepreneurship and unity

11:59 Early career challenges led to eventual success

19:25 Struggling with control

23:20 Acknowledging skill, vulnerability, and hiring smarter people

25:21 Struggling to find right hires

28:44 Creating efficient structure

31:07 Rewarding employees with benefits

36:40 Juggling family, work, and emotional challenges

38:54 Suppressing personal struggles while leading amidst adversity

42:58 Recognizing the need for others to lead a company

44:57 Transition from doer to teacher

48:58 Share imperfectly