Why do so many successful entrepreneurs get stuck doing everything themselves?

In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul Avins sits down with Graham Brown, founder and CEO of 2iC Search and author of the upcoming book "Too Many Hats", to explore one of the biggest constraints to scaling: finding and hiring the right second-in-command.

Graham shares his remarkable journey from Gulf War trumpet player to executive search specialist, and reveals why so many senior hires fail, and how to get it right. Together, they unpack the seven types of COO, the three pillars of successful hiring, and why treating team performance like military operations can unlock millions in hidden productivity.

If you're a CEO drowning in operational tasks, struggling to find the right senior hire, or ready to build a business that doesn't depend on you doing everything, this episode is essential listening.

Key Takeaways

• The seven types of second-in-command and which one your business needs now
• Why most entrepreneurs fail at hiring senior talent (and the costly mistakes that follow)
• The three pillars of successful hiring: skills, energy alignment, and cultural fit
• How to shift from doing the work to having the work done through others
• The military mindset that helps Graham stay calm under pressure and solve complex hiring challenges
• Why 50% team engagement costs businesses hundreds of thousands in lost productivity
• The difference between competency-based interviewing and the amateur hour approach most founders use

About Graham Brown

Graham Brown is a military veteran, executive search specialist, and founder of 2iC Search, helping CEOs and scale-up founders find their perfect second-in-command. With over 24 years in recruitment and a background serving in the Gulf War, Graham has helped over 10,000 servicemen and women transition to civilian careers.

He specialises in placing COOs, Operations Directors, and Chiefs of Staff who combine operational excellence with cultural fit. Graham is also the author of the upcoming book "Too Many Hats", designed to help overwhelmed CEOs stop trying to do everything themselves and build teams that scale.

His approach blends military discipline with behavioural profiling to ensure leaders don't just hire capability, but find the right operational partner to unlock growth and reclaim their time.

Resources & Links

• Download Graham's hiring guides and frameworks → FREE Resources
• Learn about Graham's executive search services → www.2icsearch.co.uk
• Connect with Graham Brown on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/exmilitaryrecruitment
• Pre-order "Too Many Hats" (releasing Winter 2025)
• Follow Paul Avins for Scale Up insights on LinkedIn → Paul Avins | LinkedIn
• Transform your business at the Grown Up Business Retreat → The Grown Up Business Retreat 2025

Next Steps

Action Now: Write down the 3 biggest operational tasks you're still doing that should be delegated, and commit to addressing them in the next 72 hours.

Think Bigger: Ready to hire your perfect 2iC and stop wearing too many hats? Download Graham's free hiring guides and job description templates at 2icsearch.co.uk

Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter

Level Up: Book a Call with Paul and Get ready to level up your business and transform your life!