You are notably very open about failure. Are you ever anxious that this makes you more vulnerable?
Even in the hardest times, I stayed true to myself. I don’t have time for people who are not real. It’s a waste of time, because what good is a straightforward and corrected story? I have always been more fascinated by the people who stand on stage and make themselves vulnerable because I can better identify with them. Everyone will at some point hit a rough patch and everyone has self-doubt.
When my husband left me, whilst I was still working at Goodbeans, I went into the office the next day and told my co-founder that right then I couldn’t keep going. I also wanted to tell my colleagues what had happened so that they didn’t have to misinterpret my decisions. I practiced not crying in front of the mirror, but of course, I broke down in tears at the meeting. All my colleagues understood and no one thought I was a weak boss. Instead, everyone simply saw me as human. I have always done very well with my honesty. And people, who do not like you, will take advantage of this. But these people just won’t like you whatever you do. You can’t be everyone’s darling!
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