The leader grows or the business stalls. There is no neutral.
Businesses don’t burn out—leaders do. And when they do, the business follows.
This chapter is about building the kind of leadership that endures—not just for a season, but for the long haul. The kind that outlasts market swings, outgrows old habits, and stays sharp when others coast. To lead at that level, you have to treat your time like capital, move with urgency when it matters, and protect against downside at every turn.
Am I building a leadership style that will still work—and still matter—ten years from now?
But longevity isn’t just about tactics. It’s about people. You need a network that challenges you, not just cheers for you—because you don’t scale a company without scaling yourself.
This is the difference between a leader who lasts and a leader who gets left behind. Let’s build the former.
Chapter 10, Leadership That Lasts, features these 4 fundamental Rules:
- WEEK 39— Rule No. 16: Time is your most precious asset.
- WEEK 40— Rule No. 17: Speed Matters.
- WEEK 41— Rule No. 29: Protect your downside.
- WEEK 42— Rule No. 39: Your network is your net worth.
WEEK 39
Rule No. 16: Time is your most precious asset.
Why: Because, you must ruthlessly guard your calendar.
Rule No. 16 SUMMARY
Time is the only resource you can’t earn back. Money can be recovered. Opportunities can be replaced. But once time is gone, it’s gone. This rule reminds executives that how they spend their time is how they lead. Protecting it, structuring it, and aligning it with your highest priorities is not optional — it’s foundational. Those who fail to guard their time are not running their business. Their business is running them.
Ask Yourself: Am I spending my time on activities that move the business forward — or am I reacting to the urgencies of others?
WEEK 39 Action Step: This week, conduct a calendar audit. Review every meeting, recurring task, and “urgent” activity on your schedule. Identify at least one commitment that does not directly contribute to your highest priorities and either delegate, reschedule, or eliminate it.
WEEK 39 RECOMMENDED READING:Â The Time Trap by Alec Mackenzie
“If you don’t control your time, someone else will.”
— Alec Mackenzie, The Time Trap
WEEK 40
Rule No. 17: Speed matters.
Why? Reminds us that clarity often comes after action, not before.
Rule No. 17 SUMMARY 
Speed beats perfection when it comes to momentum, innovation, and decision-making. In a world where hesitation is often more dangerous than error, moving quickly allows you to test, adapt, and improve in real time. Most breakthroughs don’t come from overthinking — they come from action. The leaders who win are the ones who out-learn and out-adjust, not just out-plan. When in doubt, make a move. You can correct course faster than you can create a flawless plan.
Ask Yourself: Am I moving fast enough to learn, adapt, and stay ahead — or am I letting the pursuit of perfection slow me down?
WEEK 40 Action Step: This week, identify one decision or project you’ve been delaying in search of the “perfect” approach. Set a firm 48-hour deadline to take tangible action — even if it’s small — and commit to adjusting as you go. Track what you learn from the move and how quickly you can iterate.
WEEK 40 RECOMMENDED READING:Â Fail Fast, Fail Often by Ryan Babineaux & John Krumboltz
“Speed is the ultimate weapon. The faster you act, the sooner you learn—and the sooner you learn, the sooner you win.”
— Ryan Babineaux, Fail Fast, Fail Often
WEEK 41
Rule No. 29: Protect your downside.
Why: Fortify your foundation before taking big bets.
Rule No. 29 SUMMARY
Great investors and business leaders don’t just chase upside — they prepare for the downside. They understand that losses are more damaging than missed opportunities. Protecting your downside means preserving capital, limiting exposure, and designing strategies that survive worst-case scenarios. It’s not fear — it’s discipline. It’s playing defense before going on offense.
Ask Yourself: What could happen this week that would set us back the most — and what am I doing right now to make sure it doesn’t?
Action Step: Identify your top three potential downside risks this week and design a protective action for each. Example: If launching a new product, run a “worst-case financial scenario” to see how it impacts cash flow. Example: If one client represents 40% of revenue, create a contingency plan or diversify your client base.
WEEK 41 RECOMMENED READING: Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing by Robert Kiyosaki
“It’s not how much money you make. It’s how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for.”
– Robert Kiyosaki, Rich Dad’s Guide To Investing
WEEK 42
Rule No. 39: Your network is your net worth.
Why: Because relationships create opportunities.
Rule No. 39 SUMMARY
Your success is tied to the strength and depth of your relationships. No matter how sharp your skills or solid your product, if you’re not connected to the right people, you’re playing small. Business still runs on trust—and trust is built through connection. The most valuable currency in business? Who will take your call.
Ask Yourself: Who in my network have I truly invested in this quarter?
- Which relationships am I neglecting that could accelerate my business growth or theirs?
- Am I giving value first, or only reaching out when I need something?
WEEK 42 Action Step: Reach out to three people this week—not for favors, not for deals, but to genuinely connect. It could be a colleague you admire, a past mentor, or someone you’ve been meaning to get to know. Offer insight, gratitude, or just a check-in. Track the responses and reflect on the quality of these connections, not the quantity.
WEEK 42 RECOMMENDED READING:Â Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
“Success in any field, but especially in business, is about working with people, not against them.”
— Keith Ferrazzi, Never Eat Alone
Chapter 10 complete—congratulations!
You’ve confronted the hard truth: leadership isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon with no shortcuts. Stewarding your time, making tough trade-offs, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you isn’t optional—it’s the only way to build something that lasts. The business can only be as strong as the leader behind it.
Now, it’s time to shift focus and sharpen your radar.
Up Next: Chapter 11 – Avoiding the Common Pitfalls
It’s not the hard problems that kill a business. It’s the easy ones you ignored.
In this chapter, we expose the silent killers of success: complacency, comfort, and overlooked traps. Profit isn’t a dirty word. The bottleneck is always at the top. Reputation compounds over time. And owning your edge is non-negotiable. Learn to spot these dangers early, protect what matters most, and keep your competitive edge razor sharp. VISIT CHAPTER 11