In 1978, John Mackey founded a small grocery store named “Safer Way” using startup capital of $45,000. In 2017, he orchestrated its sale to Amazon for a staggering $13.7 billion. The company he sold? Whole Foods. So what set Whole Foods on the path to such remarkable success?

Imagine opening the London Times in 1913, and stumbling upon this intriguing ad: “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.”

Picture yourself running a small start up with a few employees in the mid-2010s. Tired of your garage-based office, you seek a more professional space. However, traditional offices are expensive and unappealing. Enter co-working: a solution with private desks, shared areas, modern design, and a vibrant atmosphere. You just stepped into a WeWork office, seeming almost too good to be true—sadly, it was.

Have you ever found yourself under the command of a leader who required unwavering loyalty? Chances are, you didn’t give it to them (at least not deep down). Leaders like this are leading from position, not from influence. They mistake their titles for the keys to praise and respect, only to be met with lukewarm responses from their teams.

Imagine you are strolling alongside a serene riverbank, and there it is—a mesmerizing water wheel, seemingly defying the laws of nature as it rotates effortlessly. It is archaic in design, but something about it captures your attention.