When I was a CEO, I thought my company’s problems came from other people, like the employees who didn’t follow directions, vendors who missed deadlines, or markets that shifted unexpectedly. Then my coach said something that changed everything: “Glenn, that’s your fault.”
At first, I resisted. How could it be my fault? I’d given clear instructions, held meetings and built processes. But then she explained that if things weren’t working, it was because I had hired the wrong people, failed to communicate effectively, or allowed the wrong culture to form. That realization was painful but transformational.
The hardest lesson every CEO must learn is this: you are responsible for everything.
The CEO’s Mirror Test
Every challenge in your company reflects you. The tone you set in meetings, the behavior you tolerate and the pace you establish all shape your culture.
Once I accepted that, everything changed. I became deliberate about how I communicated, held people accountable and modeled behavior. As I tell my clients, self-awareness is the foundation of leadership. It’s not about blame. It’s about control. The moment you take full responsibility, you regain the power to change outcomes.
Coaching CEOs to Create Change
When I coach CEOs today, I don’t start with a script. I start with observation. Every CEO has different blind spots, so my approach is bespoke.
“I think of myself as having this incredible tool belt of tools,” I told Mia Horm on Founders Only. “I’m going to pull out the right tool when I see an opportunity to apply it.”
Sometimes that tool is empathy. Sometimes it’s accountability. Always, it’s about behavior change, helping CEOs become more impactful and intentional in how they lead.
The To-Do List Trap
Most founders I coach suffer from the same problem: their to-do list is too long.
“When I was a CEO, my to-do list was 51 things long every day… But I learned I couldn’t get 51 things done in a day, or even a quarter.”
The breakthrough came when I realized that focus creates scale. Every CEO must learn to choose the three things that matter most and be comfortable leaving 48 things undone.
Mastering Time and Focus
One of the biggest blind spots for CEOs is how easily they let the world dictate their priorities.
“People focus on something because it landed in their inbox or their Slack channel,” I explained. “They focus on these things because they show up, not because they’re important.”
That’s why I tell every CEO: your calendar is your strategy. If it doesn’t align with your top priorities, you’re leading by reaction, not intention.
Becoming the World’s Greatest Delegator
Scaling requires one non-negotiable skill: delegation.
“In order for you to become the world’s greatest delegator, you have to have a great team reporting to you,” I tell clients. “You can’t delegate to people who can’t get the work done.”
Delegation isn’t abdication. It’s leverage. The goal is to focus your time where you create the most impact, while empowering your team to execute with accountability.
The CEO’s Morning Framework
Every CEO asks me about routines. My advice is always the same: take care of yourself first, your team second and your company third.
“You have to take care of yourself. Then you have to take care of your team. Only then do you go to work on the things that are most important.”
Start your day by ensuring you’re physically, mentally and emotionally ready to lead. If you’re drained, your decisions will be too.
Why Work-Life Balance Is a Performance Strategy
I’m often asked if work-life balance is achievable for CEOs. My answer: 100%.
“Right now, I work 20 hours a week and I make more than I did before. I’m enjoying my job more than ever.”
Balance isn’t about working less. It’s about working better. Performance declines when you neglect sleep, relationships and joy. Balance restores your edge.
Final Takeaway
Leadership starts when excuses end. The hardest lesson for every CEO is accepting that everything begins and ends with you.
When you take full responsibility for the good, the bad and the in-between, you unlock the power to transform yourself, your team and your company.
I’m Glenn Gow. I coach CEOs who want to scale with self-awareness and accountability. On my podcast, I uncover the strategies top leaders use to grow faster by mastering themselves first.
Listen to my full interview on the Founders Only Podcast with Mia Horm for more on accountability, delegation and the mindset shifts that turn good CEOs into great ones.
