Insight certainty 4/5 debate potential 2/5

Founders should delay major decisions during emotional crises, says Steli Efti

Steli Efti · Episode 766 | Close.com's Amazing Run to $40M ARR (with Steli Eft... · Mar 18, 2025 · at 6:56

Steli Efti, co-founder of CRM platform Close, discusses navigating burnout and existential crises with his co-founders over a 14-year partnership.

0:00 / 0:26exact quote · 26.3s
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“I think we were all three quite wise in many times recognizing that this is an emotional state that I'm in or a face, and maybe this is the truth and I should act on it, but I can't act on it Right now. It's too hot. I need to let it cool down and simmer down. I need to look at it from a number of perspectives and then I can make a good decision, but I shouldn't just knee jerk act because it's been a tough couple of weeks or something.”

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