Welcome to SaaS Fuel! In this special Thanksgiving episode, we sit down with Elliott Connie, a psychotherapist, author, and founder of the world’s largest solution-focused therapy training organization. Elliott shares insights on gratitude, resilience, and the power of asking the right questions to create meaningful change in life and leadership.

If you're a scaling SaaS founder or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways to help you navigate the pressures of leadership while building a business of significance.

Key Takeaways

00:00:51 - "Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good concept; it’s a leadership superpower."

00:02:20 - Why it’s crucial to stay centered and grateful during the holiday chaos.

00:05:15 - Elliott's journey from marine biology to psychotherapy and finding purpose in pain.

00:07:58 - Shifting focus: How thinking about outcomes creates transformative change.

00:10:44 - "Practicing gratitude isn’t automatic—it’s an intentional act of resilience."

00:15:18 - Overcoming challenges and building resilience through reflection.

00:19:42 - How the questions you ask shape your mindset and influence your outcomes.

00:28:12 - The road to success: Lessons from Tiffany Haddish’s 260 auditions.

00:41:10 - "Failure is not the opposite of success—it’s part of the process."

Tweetable Quotes

Gratitude isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation for resilient leadership — Elliott Connie

You can’t build resilience—you find it within by recognizing past victories.— Elliott Connie

Failure isn’t a roadblock; it’s a stepping stone to success. — Jeff Mains

Whatever you focus on grows. Choose to grow good.— Elliott Connie

The key to resilience is asking the right questions—focus on what you can create, not what you fear.— Elliott Connie

Gratitude isn’t automatic; it’s a choice that transforms challenges into stepping stones. — Jeff Mains

SaaS Leadership Lessons

Gratitude Enhances Leadership:

Leaders who practice gratitude are better equipped to stay resilient and navigate high-pressure situations, particularly during chaotic periods like year-end deadlines.

Outcome-Driven Thinking Fuels Success:

Shifting focus from problems to outcomes helps leaders and teams envision and create the future they desire, driving growth and innovation.

Failures Are Building Blocks:

Success is a process, not an event. Every failure provides valuable lessons and moves you closer to your goals, whether it's in SaaS scaling or personal growth.

Questions Shape Your Outcomes:

The questions you ask yourself and your team can either amplify challenges or spark optimism. Ask outcome-focused questions to drive progress.

Intentional Resilience is Key:

Reflect on past successes to remind yourself of your inherent resilience. This practice builds confidence to face new challenges in scaling your business.