What Would Your Replacement Do?
This question, popularized by Intel’s Andy Grove, isn’t just thought-provoking – it’s essential. Grove, a Holocaust survivor and tech pioneer, built his success on brutal honesty and relentless improvement.
Asking, “If I were gone, what would my replacement change?” forces you to break out of emotional attachments and see the business clearly.
Here’s why it works:
? Cuts Losses – Keeps you from sticking with dead-end strategies out of habit or sunk costs.
? Clarifies Vision – Strips away emotional blindspots and brings fresh perspective.
? Reveals Opportunities – Gets you out of the weeds and exposes what’s been missed.
On a recent retreat to Lord Howe Island, I used this exercise myself. A place with no internet, surrounded by raw nature, lets you see things differently.
The clarity it gave me: What’s truly driving growth? Is the team set up for success? Where are we missing trends?
How to implement:
? Quarterly Check – Make this a regular habit. Adjust as your business evolves.
? Team Input – Have leadership anonymously answer this. Be ready for tough truths.
? Action Focus – Ideas are useless without follow-through. Apply the top insights immediately.
Most businesses leave money on the table, holding onto outdated practices, inefficiencies, or stalled products. With Grove’s mindset, you’ll pivot faster, reallocate smarter, and cut losses sooner.
Complacency kills. Don’t wait for a crisis to ask this. Confront it now and start making the moves your replacement would.
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When I’m not challenging conventional thinking and applying tough questions to drive growth, my team and I at CMAX.ai are helping businesses uncover untapped SEO opportunities. Our AI-powered platform finds the 90% of SEO potential that standard methods overlook, fueling accelerated and sustainable growth.
Curious about how it works? Check it out here:
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