You Know What You Did

You don’t know why it bothers you so much when people don’t see what you’ve done.

You think about all the effort you’ve poured into their businesses and brands; the days, nights, weekends when the work lived in your head, taking up space. You came in with good intentions, trying to make things better than when you began. And yet, somehow, the only thing they can focus on is what hasn’t “landed” yet. Why?

Of course, things can always improve. And shareholders will always want to see more. But is it really so hard to acknowledge that there has been good progress? And if we are “in it together”, then why does it feel like you are all on your own? Are they afraid people will rest on their laurels if they get a pat on the back?

It’s frustrating because things take time.

Sure, you can force a spike. You can run flash sales, discount your way into quick revenue, push and push and get the numbers up for a moment. But that isn’t a strategy. It’s a shortcut. It’s not sustainable. And that’s not how you’re wired.

But shareholders still seem to value quick fixes. Quick wins. Quick money in. They underestimate how important it is to set a 3 to 5 year vision… and stick to it. Not flip-flop every month. And definitely don't keep moving the goalposts! One moment it’s not a focus; the next moment it’s a focus again. How are you supposed to keep up? It’s like the weather; it’s a losing battle. You’ll never be able to “win”. Even though winning was never the point.

The point is this: every human being wants to work towards something meaningful. Something you can put yourself behind. Something you can believe in. When you’ve given so much of yourself, and then you’re told it’s still not good enough, it hurts. And you don’t even fully understand why it affects you this much.

If they truly believe that getting sales at any cost is the way to run a business, even at the expense of the team or the customers, then is it really a good business? Maybe it makes shareholders a lot of money. But at what cost? Sustainable growth takes time. It takes effort. It takes planning. It’s foundation laying, so you’re actually ready for the battles to come.

So if they still choose to see the glass as half empty rather than half full, and keep looking for limitations instead of opportunities, then that’s on them. Because in business, if you look at numbers alone, you’re only seeing one part of the story. And yes, it’s a true story. But it’s only the surface layer. It doesn’t show what’s happening underneath: what’s being built, what’s being repaired, what’s being stabilised. It’s like the sea. The waves tell you one story, but below the surface, there’s so much more going on. So much more to be seen, if you’re willing to look.

And that’s what gets you. Why aren’t they willing to look? Do they not want you to succeed? Were we not on the same team?

Maybe they’re looking through different coloured lenses that default to “half empty”. Maybe they gravitate there because of their own insecurities. Or maybe that’s just how they’re wired. Either way, you need to learn not to let it get to you “Let them,” as Mel Robbins says.

Let them be negative. Let them move the goal post. Let them say you didn’t make an impact. Let them.

You know what you did.