Tom sits down with Mike Claudio to dive deep into the realities of being a CEO and a leader. They share their personal experiences and discuss the tough decisions that come with running a business, building a strong team, letting your team make mistakes, and how to adjust your business during tough times. They also share how to lead with confidence and navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro and preview of the episode [01:18] - Staying fit and active [03:13] - The reality of entrepreneurship [04:34] - It’s a tough time for business right now [07:18] - Make decisions by looking at data, not hope [09:30] - The emotional toll of being a CEO [11:43] - Tough times give you wisdom [13:20] - Victim mentality of some business owners [15:15] - Why Tom started his new painting business as a side hustle [17:28] - Adjust according to the needs of the market [20:22] - Email Tom your problem and your plan to fix it [21:12] - CEO is an employee of the company [22:57] - Putting pressure on employees to win [26:31] - The reason why a lot of contractors can’t scale [29:17] - Allowing your team to make mistakes and learn instead of doing everything by yourself [32:14] - Your #1 role as a leader: Teach your people to think [38:16] - The importance of empowering your team [39:46] - How a negative culture can stifle new talent [41:31] - The myth of luck in success [45:18] - Emotional toll of leadership and being willing to make sacrifices [49:28] - Track ROI on every expense [51:14] - Offer services that solve market problems [53:13] - Keep your family informed about the business situation [54:40] - The importance of communication in both personal and professional life [57:09] - Maintaining confidence through tough decisions [1:00:07] - The reality of being a business coach or mentor [1:05:15] - Closing remarks Resources: == Mike Claudio Website: https://www.mikeclaudio.com/  == WinRate Consulting: https://www.winrateconsulting.com/  💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: a href="https://thecontractorfight.com/ig"...