Sunday Pills - #181

1. Leadership Lessons from Steve Jobs

If you ever wanted a crash course in building institutions that last beyond you, this essay by Walter Isaacson on Steve Jobs is a must-read. It's rare to find something so specific, so sharp, and so unfiltered about a billionaire’s actual working style.

One thing that really stuck with me? The idea of bending reality.

Not in a fantasy way—but in the way Jobs made people stretch beyond what they thought was possible. He believed that the world bends to those who have enough conviction.

And I’ve felt this too. There were so many things I once thought were impossible—until I just... decided they weren’t. Starting a company? Out of reach. Pushing past big milestones? Not happening. Until one day, I realised... it already had.

You believe something so much, work toward it with such intensity, that you are eventually able to create your own reality.

Jobs didn’t just lead; he made people believe. That’s the kind of leadership that builds movements—not just companies.

2. Skip the Ladder. Take the Jump.

Everyone says growth should be gradual. “Climb the ladder. One step at a time.”

No.

Sometimes, the best way to level up is to jump.

I keep going back to my cycling story. For the longest time, I hadn’t cycled beyond 50 km. But I knew I had to hit that 100 km milestone someday.

Then one day, I decided to just go for it—no prep rides, no gradual buildup, no step-by-step plan. Just one big, reckless jump. And I did it. Maybe because, in some way, I had been preparing for it subconsciously all along.

Was it hard? Absolutely.Was it worth it? 100%.

Something shifts when you push beyond what you think you’re capable of. After that, everything else starts to feel possible. And the same logic applies to professional growth. We’re told to wait our turn, collect the years, follow the process. But sometimes, the fastest growth comes from doing something you’re not “ready” for.

Taking that leap—applying for the role you’re not “qualified” for, pitching the client you think is out of reach, building the product before you feel prepared—that’s how you become the version of yourself who can handle it.

You’ll either sink or you’ll become someone who swims like hell.Either way, you grow.

Yes, ladders are safe.

But jumps?
Jumps change you.

3. You Close the Deal When You Don’t Need the Deal

If you’ve ever taken a discovery call with zero pressure to convert, you’ll know what I mean.

The best deals close when you don’t need them.

It’s the weirdest thing. The moment you sound too desperate, the other person senses it. And in B2B, that’s where the deal slips.

The key?

• Have enough leads.
• Have meaningful conversations, not needy ones.
• Focus on helping, not selling.

I’ve seen this pattern too many times. When I show up chilled, curious, and not attached to the outcome—that’s when people want to work with me.

Want to increase conversions? Build so much pipeline that you never sound like you need it. That energy is magnetic.

4. The Benefit of Having Older Friends

One of the most underrated growth hacks?
Have older friends.

Books are great. Podcasts are helpful. But nothing compares to having someone in your life who’s already been through what you’re going through now—and made it to the other side.

Older friends give you something you can’t Google: perspective.

They’ve lived through the big decisions, the missteps, the moments of doubt. They’ve seen enough to know when it’s worth panicking and when it’s better to just wait it out.

When you’re younger (or just earlier in your journey), everything feels high-stakes. Every mistake feels like the end of the world. But when you spend time with people who’ve already survived a few of those “end of the world” moments, you start to realise—most things pass. Most things heal. And most things are solvable.

You also start to absorb their calm. You make smarter decisions. You play the long game. You stop obsessing over short-term wins because you’ve seen where the long road leads.

And the best part? You get to shortcut a lot of painful learning curves, not because you’re skipping growth, but because you’re borrowing insight.

Hang out with people ahead of you. You’ll grow up faster—in the best possible way.

Not just professionally, but personally too.

5. Hotels vs. Airbnbs

If you travel often, this might help you save time, money, and a few bad nights of sleep.

Here’s my no-nonsense decision rule:

• Pick an Airbnb when you’re traveling for business, and you know you’ll be out most of the day. It’s functional, often cheaper, and gets the job done.
• Pick a hotel when you're uncertain about your schedule, want comfort, or expect to stay in a lot. Hotels are safer, cleaner, and let’s be honest—just more pleasant sometimes.

So next time you’re booking, don’t overthink it.
Go Airbnb for hustle.
Go hotel for rest.

Simple. Effective. No room for regret.