Share
The hardest identity shift in business isn’t going from employee to CEO. It’s going from hands-on CEO to strategic CEO.
 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The World’s Best Bottle of Ginger Beer Had a Bottleneck. It Wasn’t the Bottle.

The hardest identity shift in business isn't going from employee to CEO. It's going from hands-on CEO to strategic CEO.


This week's article is about what happened when John McLean - CEO of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, the Australian family business behind a world famous ginger beer - realized the bottleneck in his business wasn't the one on the bottle.


It was him.


Not because he lacked ability. Because the very instincts that built the business had stopped being assets and started being ceilings.


If you've ever wondered whether your hands-on style is still serving you - or quietly slowing things down - this one's for you.


It includes short video clips from my interview with John, plus the full conversation at the end. 


Kevin

Read the Article
Watch the Interview
Listen to the Article

Why AQ beats IQ (and even EQ)


A conversation worth revisiting: Mike Desjardins, CEO of ViRTUS, on why AQ (Adaptability Quotient) matters more than IQ or EQ for leaders right now. A good reminder if you're navigating change on your team this quarter.

October 13. Denver. Learn from the master.


Good to Great sits on almost every CEO's bookshelf. Almost nobody puts it to work.

Jim Collins is changing that with a live, hands-on workshop this October in Denver. No slides, no theory. You and your team will work through the Hedgehog Concept, the Flywheel, and your BHAG using your own business as the case study.


Register Here.

Want to Go Deeper?

Resources


Blog

Straightforward articles and advice for leaders of high-growth companies.

Podcast 

Catch up on all of our archived podcast episodes covering topics that really matter to high-growth entrepreneurial companies and CEOs.

Archived Newsletters

Access previous newsletters you may have missed.

Webinars & Interviews


45 Minute Overview of The 4 Forces of Growth


Interview with Quest Global CEO, Ajit Prabhu


Mental Health Webinar


45 Minute Scaling Up Masterclass


Interview with Little Potato Company CEO, Angela Santiago


Books


The 4 Forces of Growth

Your Oxygen Mask First

Scaling Up

Key Tools


Master Plan Template - Our framework is a spectacular, concise document that integrates every important area of Work, Self and Life, as well as core values and sweet spots.

Quarterly Planning Template - Reflect, reset, and plan for the next 90 days.

Free Assessment Tool - Self assess 17 key habits that contribute to business success.


Equip Your Entire

Leadership Team


Get your leadership team aligned around the 4 Forces.

Order 20 copies of The 4 Forces of Growth for $200 and give

your team the framework that makes growth inevitable.


Click here to submit your order.

Want Support Bringing Your Strategy to Life?


If you’d like help sharpening your strategy, or building the accountability to execute it—our advisors are here to help. Contact us to start the conversation.

Copyright © 2026 Lawrence & Company, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or granted permission to

Lawrence & Co

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.