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• 15:46 – Head trash: letting go of outdated beliefs about leadership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

If you found this episode valuable, don’t forget to:

• Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.
• Share it with a fellow entrepreneur who might be stuck in hustle mode.
• Leave a review and let us know your biggest takeaway from this conversation.

In this episode, Tom and his co-host dive deep into the real challenges entrepreneurs face when running their businesses — from burnout and chaos to flimsy business models and the trap of being “busy.”

Fresh off their recent Accidental CEO Workshop, they share the powerful lessons learned working with a unique group of business owners, highlighting the difference between reaction mode and true forecasting. With decades of experience behind the scenes of hundreds of businesses, they reveal the patterns that hold most founders back and the practical strategies to break through.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why being busy is not the same as being in business — and how the “busy badge” keeps entrepreneurs stuck.
• How to shift from reaction mode to forecasting mode and why systems are the key to avoiding burnout.
• The real role of coaching: not emotional support, but a strategic asset that challenges your thinking and sharpens your actions.
• Why delegating isn’t just handing off tasks, but transferring clarity and ownership.
• How flimsy business models and constant reinvention kill momentum — and what to do instead.
• The danger of waiting for the “perfect time” and why clarity comes from action, not waiting.
• How decision fatigue and unresolved “maybes” silently drain your energy and stall growth.
• Why your brand is not your logo, but your unique voice and truth in the market.
• The truth about referrals: it’s not about talent alone — it’s about clarity and confidence in your message.
• Why discounting destroys trust and how pricing is a leadership decision.

🚀 Key Takeaway

Business isn’t about reinventing the wheel or waiting for the perfect moment. Growth comes from clarity, consistent action, and building systems that outlive you. Move from being an Accidental CEO to an Intentional CEO by making strategic decisions, leading with clarity, and refusing to settle for chaos.

🎯 Next Step

Want to experience this transformation firsthand? Join the upcoming Accidental CEO Workshop and invest 90 minutes of your time for a roadmap to clarity, growth, and intentional leadership.

👉 Learn more and reserve your seat at atomic.coach.

In this episode, Tom and Adam tackle one of the biggest challenges small business owners face — getting stuck in the role instead of stepping into the CEO mindset. They share real-world client stories, personal insights, and practical strategies for breaking free from overwhelm, reclaiming your authority, and running your business like a true leader.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The “Technologia” Trap: How small technical issues mirror the bigger challenges business owners face when they try to do it all themselves.
• From Technician to CEO: Why you’re not stuck in your business — you’re stuck in your role, and how to shift to designing outcomes instead of just solving problems.
• Overwhelm vs. Laziness: Why overwhelm isn’t about time management but about focus, attention, and prioritization.
• The Productivity Lie: How structure actually creates more freedom and helps you move from task-based work to momentum-based growth.
• Identity Theft in Business: How imposter syndrome and pricing insecurity sabotage sales, and how to reclaim your authority.
• Sales with Clarity: Why selling transformation, not just expertise, makes sales calls easier and more effective.
• The Listening Advantage: How asking the right questions and truly hearing the answers turns more “no’s” into “yes’s.”
• Authority Over Approval: Why chasing client approval shrinks your authority and how to make sales about decisions, not desperation.
• The CEO Mirror: How self-awareness (not just more information) transforms both you and your business.

Workshop Invitation:

Every Wednesday, Tom and Adam host a free Accidental CEO Workshop for six business owners ready to shift from survival mode to intentional leadership. You’ll walk away with clarity, actionable next steps, and a community that gets it.

Click here to see if you qualify for the next workshop.

Links & Resources:

• Join the Accidental CEO Workshop →
• Follow Tom & Adam for more insights on leadership, sales, and business growth

In this episode, Tom and Adam dive into a challenge most entrepreneurs don’t even realize they’re facing—the quiet tax of control. From refusing to delegate to fearing the business will collapse without them, accidental CEOs often unknowingly sabotage their own growth.

The conversation covers:

• Why taking a vacation every 90 days isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for clarity and vitality.

• How burnout, lack of structure, and fear of letting go keep business owners stuck.

• The difference between healthy collaboration and seeking constant external validation.

• Why self-trust beats strategy every time when building your first million.

• How the Accidental CEO Workshop provides a simple structure to turn ideas into action and scale without burning out.

Whether you’re stuck at $60K or $600K, this episode reveals how to break the bottleneck you’ve created, reclaim your energy, and lead your business without sacrificing your life.

What You’ll Learn

• The “90-Day Rule” for recharging your mind, body, and business.

• The real cost of being the bottleneck in your company.

• How uncertainty fuels anxiety—and how to navigate it with confidence.

• Why isolation kills momentum and how to find the right support network.

• The mindset shift from employee to empowered CEO.

Short High-Impact Teaser

If your business can’t run without you, it’s costing you more than money—it’s costing you your freedom. Learn how to step back, recharge, and grow without burning out.

Resources & Links

• Free Accidental CEO Workshop → atomic.coach
• Connect with Tom and Adam on LinkedIn for workshop details
• The Atomic Game Changer — Learn more about vitality and sustainable growth

In this real and raw episode, Tom and Adam peel back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes journey of creating a podcast as accidental CEOs—and why it’s okay to still be figuring things out after 130+ episodes. They dive deep into the mindset shifts needed to thrive as a business owner, why calculated risk is essential, and how to balance commitment with joy in your business.

This episode is your reminder that success isn't about perfection—it's about progress, persistence, and perspective.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

🎙 The Imperfect Journey of Entrepreneurship

• Starting a podcast was never part of the original plan—yet here they are, still evolving with every episode.
• Entrepreneurship isn't about having all the answers; it's about showing up, trying, failing, and improving along the way.

📊 Why Accidental CEOs Fixate on Results

• Many new entrepreneurs focus only on outcomes—30, 60, 90-day results—without embracing the learning curve.
• The truth: You can’t achieve greatness without calculated risk and unwavering commitment.

💡 The CEO Mindset: Commitment, Effort, Obsession

• Success demands more than interest—it requires obsession-level commitment.
• Dabbling doesn’t build empires. You’re either all in or you’re in the way.

❌ The Saboteur of Avoidance

• Avoiding failure is a form of self-sabotage.
• If you don’t try, you've already failed. Failing forward is key to leadership and growth.

👥 Building a Culture That Accepts Failure

• As you grow a team, your role evolves to include modeling how to fail and recover with grace.
• Failing should be baked into your culture—it’s how learning and innovation happen.

🔄 Start–Stop–Continue: A 90-Day Business Reset

• Simple exercise: Every 90 days, assess what you need to stop, start, and continue doing.
• Helps reframe your priorities and create intentional business planning.

🏆 Celebrate Your Wins (Seriously!)

• Too many business owners forget to enjoy their success.
• Take time to reflect, appreciate, and actually live the life you’ve worked hard to build.

🔍 The Power of Perspective

• You may not notice your own growth because you're too close to it.
• Like seeing a child grow—others notice it more. Step back and reflect on your timeline.

🎯 Focus on the ONE Thing

• The most powerful change? Pick one thing and go all in for 12 months.
• Mastery, authority, and results come from focused, consistent execution.

🛠 Tools & Techniques Mentioned:

• Start–Stop–Continue Exercise (every 90 days)
• Retrospective Timeline Analysis for measuring progress
• Accidental CEO Workshop: 90-minute business clarity session

🙌 Final Thought:

“You have to suck in order to have success. And if you never give yourself the chance to acknowledge what’s going right, what’s going wrong will always feel heavier.”

🎟️ Want More?

Join Tom and Adam in their next Accidental CEO Workshop — a 90-minute experience to uncover what's working, what's not, and what you need help with. Collaborate with other entrepreneurs and leave with a custom action plan.

👉 Register now at :

In this powerful and candid episode, Tom and Adam delve into the challenges and mindset shifts that every accidental CEO faces when transitioning into a confident and intentional business leader. They unpack the paradox of creating content that truly helps without preaching, the patterns they observe in their coaching clients, and the recurring struggles business owners face—especially when it comes to asking for help, managing focus, and navigating the unpredictable trio of clients, employees, and money.

You’ll walk away with actionable insights and thought-provoking reflections that will help you step more fully into your CEO role—whether your business is just getting off the ground or scaling toward seven figures and beyond.

🔑 Key Topics Covered:

💡 Serving vs. Preaching

• Why helping your audience with what they need (not what you assume they want) changes your communication.
• The balance between authenticity and avoiding the "expert trap" of telling people what to do.

🧠 The Accidental CEO’s Dilemma

• The emotional journey of turning a side hustle into a full-time business.
• How excitement turns into overwhelm when entrepreneurs realize what running a business really takes.

🧭 From Chaos to Clarity

• The power of asking just three questions:

1. What's going right?
2. What's going wrong?
3. What do you need help with?

• Why focus matters more than hustle—and how unfinished tasks steal your energy and clarity.

🧨 Saboteurs & Self-Sabotage

• How the Restless and Controller saboteurs derail growth.
• Why perfectionism and control stop CEOs from delegating and scaling.
• The trap of thinking you have to “do it all” and “know it all.”

🔄 Managing the Cycle: Clients, Employees, and Money

• The endless loop of needing clients to get money, money to hire employees, and employees to serve clients.
• Why mastering the management of this cycle is key to sustainable success.

📶 Signal vs. Noise

• Learning to identify your “signal” (your highest-impact tasks) and delegate the “noise.”
• How to embrace your role as a true CEO and move away from busywork.

🤝 Building Relationships That Drive Revenue

• Why relationship-building—not hard selling—is the CEO’s real job.
• How authentic conversations create opportunity.
• Tips for people who struggle with networking or social anxiety.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• Book Recommendation: Who Not How by Dan Sullivan & Benjamin Hardy
• Quote Spotlight: “Perfect the details and have as few details as possible.” — Jack Dorsey

🔧 Actionable Takeaways:

1. Assess your role daily – Are you doing CEO work or just staying busy?
2. Ask for help – From mentors, employees, coaches, or vendors.
3. Focus on signal, not noise – Stick to your 3–5 must-do tasks.
4. Get clear on your next step – Don’t try to solve everything at once.
5. Invest in relationships – They’re the real currency of growth.

💥 Want More?

👉 Join our FREE Accidental CEO Workshop – Real-time coaching and clarity on your next steps.

🌐 Visit