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Andrew Elliot Stern Group

the hidden secrets of world-class leadership revealed.

I empower individuals and organizations to come alive by creating and fulfilling on their vision for the future.

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🤓 if only... (for most)

oasis on your journey We often come to the wrong conclusions when we think about ourselves. We think: If only I were more disciplined. We think: If only I had more energy. We think: If only... We think: I’ve been created without what I really need to succeed. If only I had a few more tools, a little more talent, a couple fewer flaws—then I’d feel like I’ve arrived. And sure, you’ve heard what I’m about to say before.But have you actually internalized it? There comes a moment when two paths...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read

warning: only pull when a real emergency. WHEN "THEY" WANT THE FIRE ALARM TO GO OFF One of my clients had a security audit done on his software, using one of his friends as a consultant. The consultant came back with a serious concern—a glaring vulnerability. The kind of thing that could maybe trigger a lawsuit or a full on system failure. My client’s response? “Okay, thanks for bringing this up. We'll have to address this immediately. How's the fam doing?” The consultant stared at him,...

2 months ago • 1 min read

tale of two founders I just realized last night (11:43 p.m.) that I was five weeks away from running out of cash. No more payroll, no more runway, no clear path. I went home, but I didn’t sleep. The next morning, the pressure was unbearable. I couldn’t bring myself to tell my investors. I couldn’t face my team. I tried to work on a plan, but the fear, the exhaustion, the burnout—it was all too much. Last night, I ended up in the ER thinking I couldn't breath. The doctors found nothing wrong....

3 months ago • 2 min read

preventing burn out "Wow, that was the best night I’ve had in months!" - Quote from a founder I work with. AVOIDING BURNOUT Lately, I’ve been focused on helping founders avoid burnout. With fundraising tougher than ever and investors laser-focused on profitability over raw growth, founders are feeling the squeeze. More pressure, more work, and often—less time for themselves. One thing I encourage? Leveraged social events. LEVERAGED SOCIAL EVENTS Here’s what my founder did: He’s a massive rock...

5 months ago • 1 min read

image of work ethic “Relaxing is a waste of time." Relaxing is a Waste of Time Elon Musk sits down to a late-night game of Diablo, an online game. When asked why, he gives a really interesting answer. And it's not because he thinks it'll change the world. Too Much Stimulation In today's demanding world, we have so much coming at us that our brains aren't designed to handle this constant influx of new information, images, and stimuli. Just think about it: a walk down a busy city street can...

10 months ago • 2 min read

stock photo of a joyful child The Missing Ingredient: A Smile “If you don’t know where you’re going, you will (not) get there.” Earlier this week, I was working with a client on a visioning exercise that I often use to help clarify goals and aspirations. We explored his dreams around financial success, family fulfillment, and personal freedom. As we mapped out his future, it became clear how crucial it is to have a specific destination. Without a clear vision, success can feel unearned and...

11 months ago • 1 min read

"trust me, I am right" The Limit of Trust in Technology Just because it looks authoritative doesn’t mean it’s accurate. Today, I want to dive into a topic that’s becoming increasingly relevant: trusting technology and knowing how to use these tools wisely. We’re often told that AI and technology will eventually take over everything, freeing us from mundane tasks - maybe, seriously. While that maybe be true in the future, for now, we need to stay sharp and engaged, constantly applying our own...

11 months ago • 1 min read

The Rabbit and the Hare 2.0 --> CEO and the Operations Manager “Everything I do, you attack me. I can’t deal with this. I'm trying to move fast and grow this company, all you do is ask all the details and stifle the growth!!" That’s how Jeffrey, the CEO, entered into the Zoom meeting, leaving his Ops person, Sydney, in a cloud of frustration. Sydney’s retort was equally pointed: “You hired me to do a quality job and yet you undermine me at every turn. You’re always changing things. I can’t...

11 months ago • 2 min read

She stood up and declared, "I am no longer going to be fat!’” This woman decided to defy the odds, to lose weight, and keep it off. This is a big deal, because statistics show: Research suggests that around 80-90% of people who lose weight will regain it within 1 to 5 years. and guess what? Did she do it? The Be, Do, Have Model In the typical approach to achieving goals, people often think in terms of “Have.” For example, “I need to have more money so I can do what wealthy people do and then...

12 months ago • 2 min read

Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect - Herb Brown, Former Head Coach Detroit Piston (brother of Hall of Fame Coach Larry Brown and annual coach at my summer camp growing up!) Blending Lessons from Herb Brown and Bob Iger In coaching and leadership, the concept of practice is often revered. Yet, as Herb Brown wisely noted, it’s not just practice that matters—it’s perfect practice. This sentiment resonates deeply when we examine the remarkable leadership of Bob Iger...

about 1 year ago • 2 min read