Think two days away from work is a luxury? I just spent two days with my Forum.
A couple of years ago, the idea of being away from work for two full days seemed ludicrous to me. I thought I had to be in the business always—leading with my sheer presence. Only when I joined Entrepreneurs’ Organization did I realize: if I’m always in my business, I never get to see it clearly from the outside.
Stepping away gives me the clarity I need to lead with focus and passion.
This time, I spent two days with my EO Latin Bridge Forum, a group of business owners from across Latin America.
How does a Bridge Forum work? We meet every few months in a different part of the world to ask ourselves the bigger questions—together and of each other.
And every time I do this, every time I step away from the day-to-day (still with a little hesitation), I discover the same truth:
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When I slow down, I speed up.
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When I get clear, I execute faster.
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When I ask myself “what’s next in life?” I start moving toward what actually matters.
Doing this work together with my Forum mates makes the experience even more powerful. These two days don’t cost me momentum—they give me more of it. Because when I return to my team with clarity, that clarity becomes theirs too.
Grateful for the reflections, the honesty, and the space held by:
Stephanie Camarillo, Ashish Khera, Takeshi Nobuhara, Vinoo Varghese, Jennifer Cohen, Daniel Levy, Alejandra Leon.
So let me ask you: what’s next in life for you?
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High Standards Aren’t Harsh. They’re Respect
I believe that as female founders, high standards are our strength.
Women founders often second-guess themselves. We ask for excellence, then wonder if we’re being too demanding. We hold people accountable, then feel guilty for making someone uncomfortable.
But high standards aren’t harsh. They’re clarity. They protect our teams, our clients, and the purpose we’re building toward.
Strong boundaries aren’t unfair. They help the right people rise.
And when someone isn’t aligned, letting go isn’t failure. It’s leadership with compassion.
Because we can be kind and still be clear. We can care deeply and still expect excellence. That’s not a contradiction.
That’s respect — for ourselves, for our vision, and for the people we lead.
So don’t shrink your standards to make others comfortable. They exist for a reason. And they keep you, and your business, aligned with what matters most.
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The Best Lessons Don’t Come From Books, They Come From People
The best lessons don’t come from books. Sometimes, they come from a night at Coldplay with a friend.
Last week, I met up with Dan Baker from Valatam in East London, just before the Coldplay concert. Technically, Dan is a competitor, he runs two outsourcing agencies. Most people would hold back in that situation. I don’t.
Why? Because I met Dan through EO, the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. And in EO, I learned that even when we’re in the same industry, we don’t compete with each other. The only real competition is with ourselves.
To grow my business, I need to grow myself not fear what competitors are doing. That’s why every time Dan and I meet, we talk openly. And I walk away with ideas, feedback, and perspectives you can only get from someone who’s walked the same road.
I’m grateful for friends who prove that you can cheer each other on, learn from each other, and still win in business.
P.S.: The Coldplay concert made a memory. But peer learning makes change.
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