This week, two of my past clients announced their companies were being acquired. Together they mark the 11th exit of Founders I’ve coached over the past seven years.

I certainly can’t take credit for the outcomes of the clients I’ve coached. After all, they did the work. But I can say I’ve been part of the story in helping people along the path that got them to their exits.

I learn something from every exit I've been a part of. So in this week's episode of The Rocket Ship Founder Podcast, I'd like to share 11 lesson I’ve learned from my own exits and those I’ve coached:

1. The overwhelming emotion is RELIEF

   
   



2. You realize how much you've been carrying when the weight of being "in the seat" comes off

   
   



3. Don't compare, you can't judge exits from the outside

   
   



4. If you have an earn out tied to revenue, become best friends with the sales team of the acquiring company

   
   



5. If you have an earn out tied to revenue, make sure the sales team compensation plan is incentivized to sell your stuff

   
   



6. It’s an ending and a beginning

   
   



7. Be proud of what you’ve done, regardless of how it turned out

   
   



8. Take a moment to appreciate how much you’ve grown and learned as a leader adn human

   
   



9. Take a breath

   
   



10. Get on that earn out, if you have one

    
    



11. Regardless of the outcome, it turns out you are still you

    
    

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