The vulnerability of opening up to the imperfections of us humans during the rise of machines is a radical act of courage and self-confidence. Here, I’ll share the behind the scenes of what led to the eventual collapse and healing-journey to become a transformed person and the leader I always aspired to be.
My previous startup was very chaotic and growth at all costs. My team was burnt out; I burnt out, and I don’t ever want to have that as a repeat. This time is different.
The following is part of the next team meeting for our interns:
When you’re choosing where you want to work post graduation, it’s important to note that, in corporate America, many organizations, particularly publicly traded companies, see people as employees that drive profit of the company for shareholder value.
It’s crucial for you to seek a workplace that is healthy and values you as a human being. A company that invests in your growth as a professional, honors your work-life balance, and sees you as a valuable person contributing to the success of a mission.
Is the mission centered to what I value?
Or is it centered in being part of a supply chain, or selling products and services to optimize capital gains?
What company you work for, who your boss is, who your co-workers are plays a direct role on your potential, growth, and stability.
The following is a session conversation from the Wellness Center of our new start-up:
AI from our startup: Going through intense burnout in a “growth at all costs” environment can really shake a high-achiever’s confidence, especially when your identity is so tied to execution. When you were in the thick of that burnout, how did it affect your belief in yourself, and what was the turning point in rebuilding that confidence?
Me: I felt absolutely awful and worthless. I was alone in a third world village. My 32nd birthday, I spent crying. And that was the danger I would soon discover during my sabbatical in Argentina: when we tie our self worth to our achievements, we are vulnerable to experience deep pain when the plan doesn’t become a success. The turning point was, letting go of who I was in order to realize who I was. And that had nothing to do with tying my identity and self worth to my achievements.
AI from our start-up: If your confidence is no longer anchored in what you achieve, what is it anchored in today?
Me: in love and peace. Dictating a life in my own terms. Embodiment. Becoming the person that the world needs to lead consciously, communicate empathetically, and have patience. I saw and lived day-in and day-out to the “entrepreneur growth at all costs / sacrifice your health for increasing shareholder value / hustling as a badge of honor / and being a part of cut throat competition.”
That is not the path I want to take. That is not the lifestyle I want to have. There is another path… the one where the founder isn’t dependent on the tradicional Silicon Valley VC model with the ultimate goal to be a unicorn. The other path to contribute to society in a humanitarian and holistic way.
When a founder isn’t dependent, they become free to create and to make meaningful impact aligned to their values, rather than compromising them for shareholder value. Life is about happiness, peace, and stability.
AI from our startup: When you stand before your interns next week, how do you plan to embody this conscious, peaceful confidence, rather than just teaching it to them as a concept?
Me: By simply being while delivering the message and presentation: that is the key to pathos, or inspiring through emotion.
AI from our startup: To help you anchor this state of “simply being” before you step into that meeting, what is one micro-habit or grounding ritual you can do right before you present to transition from “doing” to “being”?
Me: Saying the mantra “I lead by example, I empower from a balanced and loving place”
AI from our startup: You are teaching them not just how to work, but how to live. I’m rooting for you. Rest up during your leave, and we’ll connect on how it went next time.
You can tell from the following sneak-peak of our AI, the radical change in direction. When we code with love, we produce with love, and the world receives that love. The world doesn’t need more profit for capital gains, we need more humanity and the courage to liberate ourselves. The power to transform is within each of us.
With love,
Stephanie Soetendal
