The CEO Playbook: 15 Rules to Build a Business That Wins
August 2025
🧠 The Briefing
Most founders learn the hard way. Great founders share the blueprint.
Today’s issue unpacks 15 unfiltered truths every CEO learns eventually—some through pain, some through experience. You’ll get them all in one place—minus the late-night stress eating. 🍕
1. 🏃 Hire Fast, Fire Faster, Promote Fastest
Don’t over-interview. Don’t drag your feet on exits.
Spot the winners → promote them fast.
Spot the losers → move on.
Your company is the sum of its people. Choose wisely. Act quickly.
2. 🔁 Retention > Acquisition
It’s not just about signing new customers. It’s about keeping them.
Build systems to support clients after the sale.
Revenue follows when retention comes first.
3. 💰 Build for Value, Not Cash
Pay yourself just enough. Reinvest the rest.
Think like a founder, not an employee.
Don’t take chips off the table early—compound value is your edge.
4. 🛠 Execution > Ideas
Everyone has a “next big thing.”
The difference? Only a few execute.
Your job is to plan it, ship it, and deliver.
5. 📊 Obsess Over Progress, Not Just Goals
Yes, have goals.
But more importantly, ask:
"Am I doing more than yesterday?"
Track progress metrics daily.
Momentum > milestones.
6. 🧘 Stop Comparing. Start Creating.
Instagram isn’t a KPI dashboard.
Your business is unique because you are.
Build in your own lane—and stay in it.
7. ⌛ Be Long-Term Greedy
Short wins are fun. Legacy is better.
Make sacrifices now to build a business that thrives 3, 5, 10 years from now.
Patience pays more than hustle ever will.
8. 💪 Bet on Yourself First
You’re the only variable you control.
Believe in your vision, your skills, your grit.
Because if you don’t, no one else will.
9. ⚡ Speed to Lead
Slowness kills.
Reply faster. Promote quicker. Test sooner.
Make mistakes—just do it fast and fix them faster.
10. 🌊 Focus on the Horizon, Not the Boats
Don’t get distracted by your competitors.
Eyes up. Stay in your storm.
Let them watch you instead.
11. 👤 Only Hire People Uniquely Qualified
Smart ≠ right fit.
Passionate ≠ perfect hire.
Only bring on those custom-built for the role. No exceptions.
12. 💸 Deliver MAX Value at MIN Cost
Especially early on, give customers 10x more than they expect.
Earn loyalty. Build word of mouth.
Focus on expand + brand.
13. 📊 MIT: Market, Idea, Team
Evaluate every opportunity with this 3-part filter:
Market: How big is it?
Idea: Is it proven or disruptive?
Team: Who’s executing?
Big market + smart idea + killer team = green light.
14. 🗣 Give Customers What They Want
Not what you think they need.
Stop assuming. Start asking.
Surveys = secret weapon.
(Pro tip: Amazon scaled this way.)
15. 🤝 Respect Everyone. Even the Jerks.
Employees. Customers. Trolls.
Stay kind. Stay classy. Always.
Respect isn’t weakness—it’s a power move.
🛠 Tool of the Issue: Loom
Want to lead faster and communicate clearer?
Use Loom to give context in a click—perfect for remote teams, quick updates, or async feedback.
👉 loom.com
⚡ Quick Hit
Before your next hire, ask:
“Is this person uniquely qualified for this role—or just available?”
Desperation is expensive. Fit is priceless.
💬 What Should We Cover Next?
More team-building tactics?
Deep dive on customer retention?
Just reply and tell us—we read every one.
#CEOWisdom #BuildToLast #ScalingTips
#FounderPlaybook #RetentionWins #SpeedToLead
#LongTermThinking #RespectAlways #BusinessBlueprint #JordanChaseInsights
🗓 Sent 3x/week
👋 Curated by Jordan Chase
💼 Want help scaling smarter? Reply—we’re in your corner.