Podcast Summary:
Title: Build with Leila Hormozi
Host/Author: Leila Hormozi
Episode: What Pain Taught Me About Leadership | Ep 282
Release Date: June 9, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 282 of "Build with Leila Hormozi," titled "What Pain Taught Me About Leadership," Leila Hormozi shares a deeply personal and transformative experience that reshaped her understanding of leadership and control. Conducted as an intimate conversation from her couch, this episode delves into the challenges she faced due to health issues and the profound lessons she learned about letting go and fostering resilience within her business.
Facing Health Challenges
Leila begins by opening up about her recent health struggles, which compelled her to step back from her usual high-energy leadership role.
"The last six months was probably the hardest time I'd gone through in, I want to say, 15 years. Just really dark, you know, being in pain all the time, seeing doctors, nobody knowing what was wrong because, you know, you're seeing the wrong doctors." [00:45]
She explains that her health issues were related to her stomach, leading to surgery and prolonged pain. This period forced her to rest and divert her attention away from her business, an experience that was both physically and emotionally taxing.
Learning to Let Go of Control
A central theme of the episode is Leila's struggle with relinquishing control, a trait she identifies as fundamental to her identity as a CEO and high performer.
"Maybe my strength is not in having control, but my strength is in letting go." [00:02]
Leila discusses how her instinct as a leader has always been to maintain tight control over every aspect of her business. However, her health crisis forced her to recognize that letting go could be a source of strength rather than weakness.
"The way to do things and to get bigger isn't to have more control, it's to let go and only have control over the things that are the most important and you get the most leverage from." [00:15]
Impact on Business
Remarkably, during her absence, Leila observed that her business not only continued to operate smoothly but also thrived. This unexpected outcome challenged her previous beliefs about her indispensability.
"The business goes incredibly well. If not, it continues to improve and grow without me there." [06:30]
She attributes this success to the robust systems and talented team she had built, which allowed the company to sustain and even accelerate growth without her direct involvement.
Redefining Resilience
Leila reflects on what true resilience means, contrasting it with her previous notion of constant productivity and control. She introduces the idea that resilience is not about constant grinding but about building systems that withstand challenges.
"If your company can't grow without you, then you really just have a job that you've built around yourself." [08:10]
"I think what I've realized to a degree for myself is that it's fragility and it's just disguised as resilience. It's disguised as being tough, but it's not being tough. It's acting out of fear." [14:55]
This insight underscores the importance of creating a business structure that is independent of any single individual, including oneself.
Embracing Rest as a Skill
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to redefining rest. Leila emphasizes that resting is not a sign of weakness or quitting but an essential skill for sustainable leadership.
"Rest is its own kind of work, right? Like it takes discipline to sit still when other people are executing." [20:40]
She shares her personal journey of overcoming the belief that taking time off equates to quitting, highlighting the discipline required to trust her team and systems during periods of inactivity.
Building a Resilient and Flexible Business
Leila discusses the critical elements that contribute to a resilient and flexible business structure. These include strong delegation, empowered teams, and efficient systems that can function autonomously.
"The strongest people that I know are not the ones who do everything. They're the ones who built something that can keep working even when they can't." [25:00]
She reiterates the importance of building a business that can thrive independently, ensuring that it remains robust despite unforeseen challenges.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In her closing remarks, Leila offers encouragement to leaders facing similar challenges. She stresses that one's value is not solely tied to their productivity or control but also to their ability to foster a resilient and self-sustaining business.
"You can find peace without needing performance to justify it." [30:10]
Leila expresses her commitment to returning to content creation and leadership once she has fully recovered, leaving listeners with a message of hope and empowerment.
Key Takeaways
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Letting Go as Strength: True strength lies in the ability to delegate and trust your team, rather than micromanaging every aspect of the business.
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Resilient Systems: Building a business that can operate independently ensures continued growth and stability, even in the leader’s absence.
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Redefining Resilience: Resilience is not about constant productivity but about creating flexible and robust systems that can withstand challenges.
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Rest is Essential: Embracing rest as a necessary component of leadership promotes long-term sustainability and personal well-being.
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Value Beyond Output: Recognizing that personal value is not solely determined by business output fosters a healthier and more balanced approach to leadership.
Notable Quotes
- "Maybe my strength is not in having control, but my strength is in letting go." [00:02]
- "The way to do things and to get bigger isn't to have more control, it's to let go and only have control over the things that are the most important and you get the most leverage from." [00:15]
- "The business goes incredibly well. If not, it continues to improve and grow without me there." [06:30]
- "If your company can't grow without you, then you really just have a job that you've built around yourself." [08:10]
- "I think what I've realized to a degree for myself is that it's fragility and it's just disguised as resilience. It's disguised as being tough, but it's not being tough. It's acting out of fear." [14:55]
- "Rest is its own kind of work, right? Like it takes discipline to sit still when other people are executing." [20:40]
- "The strongest people that I know are not the ones who do everything. They're the ones who built something that can keep working even when they can't." [25:00]
- "You can find peace without needing performance to justify it." [30:10]
This episode serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership involves trust, adaptability, and the courage to prioritize personal well-being alongside professional responsibilities. Leila Hormozi’s candid reflections provide valuable insights for entrepreneurs and leaders striving to build unshakeable and resilient businesses.