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A lot of people have asked me what makes a company successful. The truth is, it’s both simple and deeply philosophical at the same time. Success isn’t about flashy strategies or trendy buzzwords—it’s about simple actions, guided by thoughtful, intentional thinking. Unfortunately, many people are held back by their own mindset, struggling to embrace the changes they know they need to make.
This post isn’t just another motivational blog. It’s a blunt, honest wake-up call—something I hope will help entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes correct their course and thrive.
1. Do the Hard Things
If you’ve been putting something off, chances are, it’s the very thing you need to tackle. Whether it’s a tough conversation, a bold decision, or revisiting a failing strategy, success lies in the hard stuff. There’s no shortcut.
2. Trust Your Gut
Sometimes, overthinking can paralyze progress. Your intuition is often smarter than you give it credit for. Trust it, even if it feels uncomfortable.
3. Stop Being Lazy
There’s no nice way to put it: laziness kills businesses. If you’re coasting, you’re dying. Period.
4. Don’t Follow the Herd
Here’s the thing: following the crowd might keep you safe, but it won’t make you exceptional. It’s like investing in an index fund—your principal might be protected, but you’ll never see massive returns.
I don’t believe in “thinking outside the box.” I believe in thinking outside the herd. Ever notice how entire industries start to sound the same? Healthcare , finance, academics—they all start parroting each other. It’s like talking to carbon copies.
What made me successful—and what has helped countless companies I’ve worked with—was rejecting that mentality. I tell people what they don’t want to hear but deep down know is true. I push them to break free from the herd, and that’s when real growth happens.
Fix the Holes in Your Ship
Let’s get practical. If your company is losing money, figure out where the leak is. Identify the loss leader that’s dragging you down, and then make a choice:
1. Let it go.
2. Fix it.
3. Completely rethink it.
At its core, business success boils down to just two things:
• A great product.
• Flawless execution.
If your product isn’t good enough, competitors will eat away at your margins. If your execution—your team, operations, and leadership—is weak, even the best product will fail.
That’s it. Business is business, no matter the industry. Forget the endless academic theories. If you have a solid product and a well-run operation, you’re golden. If either is weak, your company is like a tiny ship with a giant hole in the middle of the ocean. Without intervention, it’s only a matter of time before you’re sinking.
Empowering People to Succeed
The reason I wrote this is because I see the same patterns over and over again at WorkshopStrategy. Entrepreneurs and executives struggle, not because they don’t have potential, but because they aren’t willing to confront the truth about what’s holding them back.
But here’s the good news: when you truly listen to someone, when you take the time to understand their company and its challenges on a deep, meaningful level, you can help them rewrite their story.
When you answer the Mayday call, plug the holes in the ship, and fix the course, the rewards are worth it. You can navigate even the choppiest waters with calm confidence and emerge stronger than ever.
So, here’s your wake-up call. Stop hesitating. Do the hard things. Fix your product. Tighten your execution. Break free from the herd. The ocean is calling, and the best journey is just waiting for you to take the helm.
- Sam Maddula Pharm.D /
CEO/Founder WorkshopStrategy
