On February 10th of this year, the day following the Super Bowl, I decided to take a break from my usual audiobook and tune into sports radio. The conversation quickly turned to Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback and Super Bowl MVP. One of the hosts made a comment:
"What makes Hurts different isn’t just his physical talent – it’s his leadership, his mindset, and the way he elevates those around him."
They weren’t talking about his throwing accuracy or speed. In reality, he threw for under 3,000 yards and less than 20 touchdowns during the regular season (to put that into perspective, some QBs threw for over 4,000 yards and over 40 TDs last season – to be fair, he did run in many TDs as well). The radio show hosts were talking about the way he commands a locker room, how he carries himself in front of the media, the trust he builds with his coaches, and the camaraderie he fosters among his teammates. This had me reflect on leadership, and how true greatness is built behind the scenes.
While listening, my mind switched gears and I started thinking about elite NBA players and how they take tens of thousands of basketball shots behind the scenes so they can be successful during their games. It also made me think about one of Yogi Berra’s famous quotes, “Baseball is 90% mental… the other half is physical”, and the same rings true in business.
From sports to self-reflection, this had me thinking about my life, my business, my clients, and all I have learned through my experiences of working with business owners – typically the quarterbacks and MVPs of their companies. The separation between the best business owners and the rest of the field is not always their strategy and financials. Often, what it takes to become the best goes unseen by the majority, and today we shine a light on the invisible edge some business owners have – what it takes to become one of “the greats”.
It is important to highlight that this edge isn’t a line item you see in a balance sheet or annual report - it pertains to how they lead, how they think, how they handle setbacks, and how they show up every single day. The most successful business owners I know don’t only focus on profits – they build a foundation of principles that carries them through each stage of their business. There is a direct relationship between business owners working on their personal development, professional growth, and “off the field” skills, compared to the success they experience “on the field”.
Behavior of Top Business Owners
Showing Up with Relentless Discipline
The most successful business owners I’ve worked with aren’t just smart; they’re disciplined in ways that most people aren’t willing to be. A quote by Jerry Rice, Hall of Fame Wide Receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, that has resurfaced time-to-time throughout my career is, “Today I will do what other won’t, so tomorrow I can do what others can’t”. This is the mindset of the majority of the most successful business owners I know.
Not Operating on Emotion or Convenience
They run their businesses – and lives – with precision and consistency. They execute their plans, hold themselves accountable, and never let short-term distractions pull them in the wrong direction. They don’t skip the details, they don’t chase shiny objects, and they don’t make excuses. They are the first to acknowledge if they are simply feeling “busy”, or if they are actually being productive.
The ones who struggle? They seem to be more reactive than proactive. They get excited about ideas but rarely follow through. They let circumstances dictate their actions instead of setting the standard themselves. Sometimes their email inbox dictates their actions throughout the day rather than navigating with control.
They Lead in a Way That Creates Loyalty and Results
Another common trait among my most successful clients – they don’t just have employees; they have people who believe in them.
Great business owners know that leadership isn’t about barking orders or micromanaging. They create cultures of accountability, trust, and high standards – attracting and retaining top talent. Their teams work hard because they believe in their mission, ownership, and future.
Other business owners either avoid leadership altogether, letting chaos and complacency take over, or they rule with an iron fist, driving away their best people. Additionally, they don’t invest in their team’s growth, and as a result, they’re constantly dealing with turnover, disengagement, and operational headaches.
Mastering Emotional Intelligence and Decision-Making
The best business owners aren’t just good at making money; they’re exceptional at managing people and pressure. They handle difficult conversations with clarity, create true connections with other people, and they know when to push, listen, or walk away. I find they sometimes play the “hero” in their company, but they are always trying to empower others to make decisions as well.
They Don’t Crumble When Things Get Hard
Every business owner faces adversity – economic downturns, bad hires, lawsuits, deals that fall apart, etc. The ones who thrive aren’t the ones who avoid problems; they’re the ones who face them head-on and keep moving forward. It is a true skill turning crisis into opportunity, and our most successful business owners are always striving to learn, grow, and evolve.
Others panic at the first sign of trouble; always looking for someone to blame. They second-guess their decisions and get paralyzed instead of adjusting and moving forward. Most people, whether knowingly or unknowingly, are looking for comfort and ease; great business owners are looking for growth, leverage, and community.
They Think in Decades, Not Just Quarters
The most successful business owners we work with don’t only chase today’s profits; they’re building the future. These owners think about how to create real, lasting value – whether that’s through systems, leadership teams, recurring revenue, and/or strategic growth. They make decisions that will increase the worth of their business over time, not just maximize their paycheck in the moment. They know that real wealth isn’t in profits alone – it’s the value of the business when it’s time to sell, transition, or expand (without the owner).
We often see owners chasing quick wins while their businesses remain owner-dependent, fragile, and unpredictable. They make money, but they aren’t building real value. The negative to this is when the time comes to exit, they will be disappointed with what their company is actually worth. Most owners have never taken the time to truly understand their company’s valuation, and this create a fundamental challenge in operational misalignment.
The Invisible Edge is a Choice
The difference between the best and everyone else isn’t luck, education, or industry – it’s the invisible factors: the discipline, leadership, resilience, and long-term thinking. These feats of strength separate those building incredible businesses, to those who simply manage them.
If you’re great at what you do, you start identifying recurring patterns. I see it every day – some business owners develop this invisible edge and create companies that last generations; others struggle, burn out, and/or leave money on the table when it matters most.
The Good News?
The invisible edge isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you learn and develop over time. Speaking from my firsthand experience, and although every business is unique, quantum leaps in your business are very achievable – you simply have to approach your day in a thoughtful, meaningful, and intentional way.
As the adage goes, “if it was easy, everyone would do it.” Doing the hard work, staying focused, being disciplined, and holding yourself accountable is not an easy journey, but it is a more rewarding and fulfilling experience.
It is never too late to start. I hope this month’s article grants you the opportunity of self-reflection, hope, and determination. As important as profits are, and finding the right team to surround yourself with is, as business owners, it always starts with you.
Wishing you all the best,
Zak
2025-7717068.1 Exp 03/27