In this episode of Be The CEO, Adam and Tom dive into the mindset shifts required to go from simply growing a business to truly leading one. They answer questions posed by their assistant, Gary, based on real conversations with clients, challenges in their own business, and lessons learned through years of coaching entrepreneurs.

From tackling limiting beliefs and sabotaging habits to mastering focus, scaling strategically, and protecting your energy, this episode is packed with actionable insights for business owners who want to evolve into intentional CEOs.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck in practitioner mode, or unsure how to scale without burning out, this episode will help you identify the changes you need to make—not just in your business, but in yourself.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• The difference between growing a business and leading one — and when that shift happens.
• How to identify and overcome limiting beliefs that hold you back.
• Why certainty beats confidence when making decisions as a CEO.
• The crucial difference between growth and scaling — and how to avoid common pitfalls.
• Practical strategies for staying focused and managing distractions.
• How to redefine your identity when building a business versus staying self-employed.
• Simple steps to protect your energy and stay present as a leader.

Episode Highlights & Timestamps

• 00:48 – Growing vs. leading a business: what changes when you become a CEO
• 02:52 – Tom’s biggest limiting belief and how it shows up in his business
• 04:45 – The power of certainty over confidence in decision-making
• 06:24 – Managing attention and avoiding distractions
• 08:20 – Why founders struggle to scale and what scaling really means
• 10:19 – Sabotaging habits and how to keep them in check
• 13:14 – The "One Plan" for building a million-dollar coaching business
• 15:46 – Head trash: letting go of outdated beliefs about leadership
• 17:38 – Helping clients navigate overwhelm and create lasting change
• 19:36 – The shift from grinding to leading: management vs. leadership
• 21:37 – Why you can't build a new business with an old identity
• 24:01 – Staying present and protecting your energy as a leader
• 25:34 – Why networking is the most authentic way to build relationships

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode

• 🌐Visit us at Atomic Business Coaching
• 🚀Join our free networking events at BeThe.CEO
• 📘Read our book The Atomic Game Changer for practical strategies to grow your business intentionally

Join the Conversation

We want to hear from you!

What’s one limiting belief or sabotaging habit you’ve had to overcome in your business?

Share it with us on LinkedIn or during one of our live networking events.

In this first episode of the Intentional CEO Podcast, Tom and Adam reintroduce their mission: helping entrepreneurs move from being accidental CEOs—overworked and reactive—to intentional CEOs who lead with clarity, agency, and purpose.

Drawing on four decades of combined experience and four years of partnership, they dive into the real challenges business owners face and share practical stories, insights, and tools to help you take control of both your business and your life.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Accidental vs. Intentional CEO: Why many entrepreneurs start out doing everything themselves, and what it takes to shift into intentional leadership.
• Agency + Belief = Confidence: The secret sauce of making empowered decisions and executing them with certainty.
• Overcoming Bottlenecks: How trying to “do it all” keeps you stuck—and the smarter ways to delegate, systemize, and scale.
• Confidence vs. Certainty: Why confidence gets you started, but certainty keeps you moving forward.
• Chaos to Clarity: How structure transforms overwhelming situations into focused progress—whether in business or personal life.
• Evolving Your Mindset: Why the same thinking that got you started won’t take you to the next level.
• Intentional Leadership: The power of listening, developing others, and leading by example instead of reaction.
• Work-Life Harmony: Why balance is a myth—and how to create true harmony by aligning priorities with flexibility.
• Breaking Perfectionism: How letting go of “perfect” creates momentum and growth.
• The Intentional CEO System: Why Tom and Adam built it, and how it simplifies success for entrepreneurs.

Memorable Quotes

• “Confidence is great, but certainty is what drives you forward.”
• “Structure isn’t restrictive—it creates clarity.”
• “Business is simple. It’s just not easy.”
• “Work-life balance is a myth. Harmony is the goal.”
• “Success always, in all ways. How you do one thing is how you’ll do everything.”

Resources & Links

• Visit bethe.ceo for free resources to help you become an Intentional CEO.
• Connect with Tom and Adam directly on LinkedIn.

👉 Tune in to learn how to stop leading by accident and start leading with intention—in business and in

life.

In this episode, Tom and Adam dive deep into one of the biggest challenges new and accidental CEOs face—confusing burnout with boredom. They unpack why hustle isn’t a badge of honor but a warning sign, how being the bottleneck stunts growth, and why systems—not endless motivation—are the true foundation of sustainable success.

From decision-making with certainty to reframing your identity as a CEO, this conversation highlights the mindset and structural shifts every founder must embrace. You’ll learn how to delegate effectively, manage attention like a leader, and avoid the pitfalls of chaos-driven growth.

If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels, gain clarity in your role, and build the freedom you envisioned when you started your business, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

• Burnout vs. Boredom: Most entrepreneurs aren’t burned out—they’re bored because their business has stopped challenging them.
• Hustle is a Warning Sign: Hustle often signals disorganization and panic, not progress.
• Don’t Be the Bottleneck: Growth stalls when CEOs refuse to delegate or trust others.
• Inbox ≠ To-Do List: Protect your focus; don’t let emails dictate your priorities.
• Decisions Need Certainty: Think in terms of consequences, not just costs—certainty drives freedom and growth.
• Systems Build Confidence: Confidence isn’t a vibe, it’s a result of evidence produced by repeatable systems.
• Identity Evolution: Every new level of business requires a new version of you. Believe, behave, and become the CEO.
• Clarity in Communication: Your next client may be one clear sentence away—make it easy for your network to refer you.
• Motivation ≠ Structure: Growth isn’t about daily “rah-rah” energy; it’s about predictable systems that allow freedom and scale.

Resources & Links

Register for the Free Simple CEO Workshop → atomic.coach

A 90-minute live session with Tom and Adam to help you gain clarity, certainty, and the next step for your business.

Call to Action

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