012: “Are You Settling for ‘Good Enough’ on Your Team?” (lessons from Alex Kudelka)

🧠 Erik’s Take

In this reflection, Erik breaks down his conversation with Alex Kudelka and extends the dialogue into a deeper meditation on one of the hardest (and most human) aspects of business: adding the right people. Whether it's a co-founder or a hire, getting the “who” right is make-or-break—and Erik’s vulnerable look at how pressure can lead to premature decisions is a powerful leadership check-in. This episode is a mirror for every founder and operator navigating the tension between urgency and fit.

🎯 Top Insights from the Interview

• The “New Color” Phenomenon: When you finally hire the right person, it’s like seeing a color you didn’t know existed. You can’t believe you ever settled for less.
• Mental Readiness > Job Description: Before writing the external job spec, leaders need to do the internal work, clarifying what they really want, and whether they’re willing to wait for it.
• Co-Founders vs. Hires: If you can name the deliverables, it’s a job. If it’s about mindset or relational complement, then it might be a co-founder.
• Rules of Engagement Matter: Whether it’s hiring or partnering, success often depends on how well you’ve defined the rules for when things get hard.
• The Universal Lesson: Whether in business, friendships, or life, being intentional about who you bring close is worth slowing down for.

🧩 The Personal Layer

Erik opens up about his own past pressures in hiring—especially in sales roles—and how easy it is to “cave” when urgency outweighs clarity. His honesty about never having a co-founder is refreshing and prompts meaningful reflection about the risks and rewards of sharing the entrepreneurial load. This episode captures Erik’s growing conviction that the people decisions in business are the deepest, hardest, and most impactful.

🧰 From Insight to Action

Erik suggests these real-life applications of the episode’s lessons:

• Pressure Test Yourself First: Ask, Am I willing to wait for the right person, or am I just trying to solve a short-term problem?
• Create Your Rules of Engagement: Whether hiring or partnering, define how you’ll handle conflict, misalignment, and tough calls.
• Revisit Your People Circle: Are you intentionally curating the right people in your business and in your personal life?
• Practice Better Questions: Vetting people well is a learnable skill. It starts with the right questions and active listening.

🗣️ Notable Quotes

“Don’t write the job description until you’ve had the internal conversation with yourself.”

“Am I willing to bear the pressure and not make the wrong hire? That’s the first question.”

🔗 Links & Resources

• Outdo Growth – Alex's company helping digital founders scale
• Alex Kudelka on LinkedIn – Follow for startup wisdom and leadership insight