This Is Harder than I Want It to Be

SwissCast Network
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  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

Simple shifts and smart moves for overwhelmed, mission-driven founders. You started your business to make a difference. Two years in, you're making impact, but you're also making every decision, answering every question, and working way harder than you want to. You're not alone. And it doesn't have to be this hard. This Is Harder than I Want It to Be is your bi-weekly reality check for scaling without burnout or compromising on your values. In just 5-8 minutes, you'll get one perspective shift, one practical framework, and one action to take this week. What you'll learn: - Delegation that doesn't feel like micromanagement - How to build teams that solve problems without you - Systems and processes and tools that create space instead of constraint. - Balancing between working *in* your business and *on* it Hosted by Linda van Egmond, a fractional CMO and integrator who's spent 20 years building and supporting impact-driven startups and scale-ups, including The Ocean Cleanup. She's seen too many brilliant ideas fail, not because they weren't good enough, but because of lack of structure, overcomplication, or unrealistic expectations. This podcast distills hard and painful lessons into bite-sized, actionable insights. Perfect for: - Impact founders about 2-3 years into their journey - B-corp and social enterprise leaders - Mission-driven entrepreneurs ready to step out of operational chaos - Anyone building a business that matters without wanting to burn out The promise: You can have impact without burnout. You can build something that scales without losing your soul. You can own a business that you don't run. New episodes every other Thursday. Subscribe now and make it easier.

Episodes

  1. 'Just Hire Someone' - That's Terrible Advice

    3d ago

    'Just Hire Someone' - That's Terrible Advice

    When you’re overwhelmed, hiring sounds like the obvious fix. But if you don’t have clear outcomes and simple processes first, you’re not hiring help, you’re hiring more questions (and more chaos). In this episode, Linda shows you the “pre-hire” work that makes bringing someone on actually reduce your workload. What You'll Learn: The Hook: Hiring doesn’t solve overwhelm; it often turns chaos into expensive chaos. Reality Check: A founder hired three people fast and ended up working more because nothing was defined or documented. The Shift: The real problem isn’t headcount, it’s missing process. Patch the holes before you add more water. The Move: The Pre-Hire Checklist to make hiring actually work: Define the outcome (what “done” looks like)Document the process (simple steps + decision points)Test the process with someone else before you hire The Wrap: Systems first, then people, if you want your time back. Key Takeaway: If you can’t define success and document the steps, you’re not ready to hire, you’re ready to clarify. Ready to patch the holes before you hire? Visit Linda on LinkedIn for more leadership tools and insights. Ep. 6 It's not a process if it only works when you do it The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you. Our mission is simple: to create a space where Swiss life and English voices connect, bringing you meaningful conversations, expert insights, and compelling stories from all over the country. Our podcast shows are made by, for, or in Switzerland and range from Health, Business, Career, Travel, and more. Mentioned in this episode: Discover More Shows at SwissCast.Network SwissCast Network

    7 min
  2. How Small Problems Become Big Fires

    May 21

    How Small Problems Become Big Fires

    Ever notice how the thing that “wasn’t urgent” somehow becomes the thing that blows up your week? In this episode, Linda explains why small problems escalate when they have nowhere to land, and how a simple weekly ritual can keep issues from turning into emergencies. What You'll Learn: The Hook: The real reason issues don’t surface early is usually the system, not the people. Reality Check: A client complaint sat untouched for two weeks because it felt too big for chat but not big enough for a meeting. The Shift: Treat problems like dashboard warning lights, you want the “yellow light” moment, not the “engine’s on fire” moment. The Move: Use an Issues List to catch problems early: Create one shared doc for issues as they arise.Review the top 3 items in your weekly meeting.Keep the review to 10 minutes, just long enough to decide what happens next. The Wrap: A small, consistent container for issues prevents crises and protects focus. Key Takeaway: Give problems a place to go while they’re still small, and they won’t turn into full-blown fires. Ep. 7 The Meeting That Saves Me 10 Hours A Week Ready to prevent small issues from turning into emergencies? Connect with Linda on LinkedIn for more leadership tools and insights. The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you. Our mission is simple: to create a space where Swiss life and English voices connect, bringing you meaningful conversations, expert insights, and compelling stories from all over the country. Our podcast shows are made by, for, or in Switzerland and range from Health, Business, Career, Travel, and more. Mentioned in this episode: Ask Linda a Question Do you have a question you'd like Linda to answer? Send an email, drop a line on LinkedIn, or send a voicemail. Send Voicemail Discover More Shows at SwissCast.Network SwissCast Network

    8 min
  3. The Meeting That Saves Me 10 Hours a Week

    May 7

    The Meeting That Saves Me 10 Hours a Week

    Your team is flooding you with messages and “quick syncs,” but somehow you still don’t know what’s actually getting done. In this episode, Linda breaks down the one 30-minute weekly meeting that replaces the chaos with a simple rhythm: everyone sees the same numbers, surfaces the real issues, and leaves with clear priorities. What You'll Learn: The Hook: Why constant Slack pings and endless meetings are usually a symptom of missing one key weekly rhythm. Reality Check: How a growing team can create more interruptions when there’s no predictable place to get aligned. The Shift: Structure creates flow, like traffic lights, not restriction; a weekly cadence makes information move instead of pile up. The Move: The 30-Minute Alignment Meeting (and what to cover, nothing else): Metrics (10 min): Review 5–7 vital numbers so everyone shares the same realityIssues (10 min): Capture blockers in one shared list, then pick the top 3 and decide what happens nextPriorities (10 min): Set 3–5 must-do items for the week, assign owners, confirm deadlines The Wrap: One consistent weekly meeting reduces urgent questions, prevents small issues from becoming fires, and gives you hours back. Key Takeaway: Most meetings are filler, but one weekly alignment rhythm can replace ten interruptions. Ready to create more flow (and fewer pings)? Visit Linda van Egmond Website for more leadership tools and insights. The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you. Our mission is simple: to create a space where Swiss life and English voices connect, bringing you meaningful conversations, expert insights, and compelling stories from all over the country. Our podcast shows are made by, for, or in Switzerland and range from Health, Business, Career, Travel, and more. Mentioned in this episode: Let's Connect on LinkedIn Find Linda on LinkedIn Linda on LinkedIn Discover More Shows at SwissCast.Network SwissCast Network

    7 min
  4. It's Not A Process If It Only Works When YOU Do It

    Apr 23

    It's Not A Process If It Only Works When YOU Do It

    You take a day off and everything grinds to a halt, because the “process” is actually just you. In this episode, Linda van Egmond shows you how to turn what’s in your head into a system your team can run without constant check-ins. What You'll Learn: The Hook: Why your phone blows up the moment you step away, and what that reveals about your business. Reality Check: How growth can increase pressure when the critical knowledge lives in one person’s head. The Shift: A process doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to make the work repeatable without you. The Move: The Dependency Audit to start removing you as the bottleneck: Make two columns: “Things only I can do” vs. “Things only I do (but others could do)”Pick 3 items from the second column to eliminate firstDocument each one: trigger, outcome, steps, owner, decision pointsHand it off, coach once, then let it run at 80% (and maybe better) The Wrap: Start with three processes, hand them off, and watch your time come back bit by bit. Key Takeaway: If it only works when you do it, it’s not a process, it’s a problem you can fix. Ready to get your time back? Visit Linda van Egmond Website for more leadership tools and insights. Ep. 5 Stop Measuring Everything The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you. Our mission is simple: to create a space where Swiss life and English voices connect, bringing you meaningful conversations, expert insights, and compelling stories from all over the country. Our podcast shows are made by, for, or in Switzerland and range from Health, Business, Career, Travel, and more. Mentioned in this episode: Let's Connect on LinkedIn Find Linda on LinkedIn Linda on LinkedIn Discover More Shows at SwissCast.Network SwissCast Network

    8 min
  5. Stop Measuring EVERYTHING: Measure What Moves

    Apr 9

    Stop Measuring EVERYTHING: Measure What Moves

    Thought more metrics would make things clearer, but you feel even more stuck? In this episode, Linda breaks down why tracking everything leads to overwhelm and inaction, and how to choose the handful of numbers that actually change your results. What You'll Learn: The Hook: More dashboards do not mean more clarity when you do not know what to do next. Reality Check: Tracking everything can paralyze you, but tracking nothing leaves you blind until it is too late. The Shift: Lead indicators predict results and are the only numbers you can directly influence. The Move: The Lead vs. Lag Test to simplify what you track: Know the difference: lag indicators (results) vs lead indicators (actions).Choose your lead indicators by asking what consistent actions create the outcome you want.Pick 2 lead indicators for the month, then check them weekly: did you do the thing, yes or no? The Wrap: You cannot control outcomes directly, but you can control actions and actions create results. Key Takeaway: Stop measuring everything and start measuring what moves by tracking the actions that drive your results. Ready to make it easier? Visit https://www.lindavanegmond.com/ and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you. Our mission is simple: to create a space where Swiss life and English voices connect, bringing you meaningful conversations, expert insights, and compelling stories from all over the country. Our podcast shows are made by, for, or in Switzerland and range from Health, Business, Career, Travel, and more. Mentioned in this episode: Discover More Shows at SwissCast.Network SwissCast Network

    7 min
  6. Your Team Can't Read Your Mind: How to Use the Vision Check-In

    Mar 26

    Your Team Can't Read Your Mind: How to Use the Vision Check-In

    You have a clear vision in your head, but your team is building from an older version of it. That gap is where good work quietly goes off the rails. In this episode, you’ll learn why “I already told them” is rarely enough, and how a simple, repeatable check-in keeps everyone executing the same priority, with the same context, at the same time. What You'll Learn: The Hook: Your team is working hard, but still missing the mark, because they cannot execute the updates you never explicitly shared. Reality Check: When your vision evolves in your head but not in your team’s understanding, they will confidently build the wrong thing. The Shift: Your vision is not a one-time announcement. It is an ongoing conversation that needs regular reinforcement. The Move: Use the Vision Check-In every quarter to keep alignment tight. Ask: What do you think our top priority is right now? (Listen first, then calibrate.)Ask: Why are we doing this? (Confirm they understand the bigger “why,” not just the task.)Ask: What’s changed since we last talked about this? (Name the pivots, new insights, and updated focus.)Optional: Create a short Context Document that answers what you are building, who it is for, what matters this quarter, and what changed, then update it quarterly. The Wrap: If you are not sure everyone would give the same answer to “What’s our top priority?”, run the check-in this week and close the gap. Key Takeaway: Your team cannot execute a vision they do not understand, and they cannot understand it if you only shared it once. Ready to make it easier? Visit https://www.lindavanegmond.com/ and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you. Our mission is simple: to create a space where Swiss life and English voices connect, bringing you meaningful conversations, expert insights, and compelling stories from all over the country. Our podcast shows are made by, for, or in Switzerland and range from Health, Business, Career, Travel, and more. Mentioned in this episode: Discover More Shows at SwissCast.Network SwissCast Network Let's Connect on LinkedIn Find Linda on LinkedIn Linda on LinkedIn

    8 min
  7. Goals Keep Slipping? Why It Happens and How to Fix It.

    Mar 12

    Goals Keep Slipping? Why It Happens and How to Fix It.

    It's the end of the quarter. You look at the goals you set 90 days ago and realize you did maybe one of them. The rest are still sitting on the list. In this episode, Linda breaks down why goals keep slipping and shares a simple weekly rhythm that makes your 90-day priorities actually happen. What You'll Learn: The Hook: Why ambitious 90-day goals quietly slide when there is no weekly rhythm to keep you connected to them Reality Check: The real reason goals do not get done is not laziness or lack of discipline. It is overestimating capacity, letting life happen, and never building accountability into the plan The Shift: Setting goals is like choosing a destination. If you do not check the route as you go, you can end up somewhere completely different The Move: The 90-Day Rock System that turns goals into progress: Pick 3 to 5 “Rocks” for the next 90 days instead of trying to do 10 to 15 things at onceDefine what “done” looks like for each Rock so you can tell if you have actually completed itReview weekly in a short check-in to see what is on track, what needs to happen next, and what is blocking progressCelebrate at the end of the quarter, or course-correct without blame The Wrap: The difference between goals that slip and goals that get done is a consistent 10 to 15 minute weekly review Key Takeaway: Planning feels productive, but your progress comes from a simple rhythm of checking in, adjusting, and doing. Ready to make it easier? Visit https://www.lindavanegmond.com/ and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you. Our mission is simple: to create a space where Swiss life and English voices connect, bringing you meaningful conversations, expert insights, and compelling stories from all over the country. Our podcast shows are made by, for, or in Switzerland and range from Health, Business, Career, Travel, and more. Mentioned in this episode: Ask Linda a Question Do you have a question you'd like Linda to answer? Send an email, drop a line on LinkedIn, or send a voicemail. Send Voicemail Discover More Shows at SwissCast.Network SwissCast Network

    8 min
  8. Strategy is Not A Plan: The Bridge Between to Action

    Feb 26

    Strategy is Not A Plan: The Bridge Between to Action

    You spent a full day on strategy. You mapped the vision, set the goals, and left energized. Then Monday happened, and that beautiful plan went straight into a drawer. In this episode, Linda shows you why your strategy stays stuck on paper and exactly how to bridge the gap between thinking and doing. What You'll Learn: The Hook: Why strategic plans feel productive but disappear the moment you're back at your desk Reality Check: The pattern Linda kept seeing in strategy sessions—great alignment, zero follow-through, because no one bridged strategic thinking with operational doing The Shift: Strategy without implementation is like meal planning without grocery shopping—just wishful thinking The Move: The Strategy-to-Action Bridge that turns plans into progress: End every strategy session by naming 3 things to do in the next 10 daysAssign owners and deadlines—actual names, actual datesBlock time on the calendar right then, before anyone leaves the room The Wrap: The difference between a strategy that sits in a drawer and one that actually happens is 10 minutes of implementation planning Key Takeaway: Planning feels productive, but it's not the same as doing. Ready to turn your next strategy session into actual progress? Visit https://www.lindavanegmond.com/ and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you. Our mission is simple: to create a space where Swiss life and English voices connect, bringing you meaningful conversations, expert insights, and compelling stories from all over the country. Our podcast shows are made by, for, or in Switzerland and range from Health, Business, Career, Travel, and more. Mentioned in this episode: Discover More Shows at SwissCast.Network SwissCast Network Ask Linda a Question Do you have a question you'd like Linda to answer? Send an email, drop a line on LinkedIn, or send a voicemail. Send Voicemail

    8 min
  9. Delegating vs. Dumping: Are You Bad at Delegating?

    Feb 12

    Delegating vs. Dumping: Are You Bad at Delegating?

    Thought you were bad at delegating? You're probably just bad at setting people up to succeed. In this episode, Linda breaks down why your team keeps coming back with questions and exactly how to fix it. What You'll Learn: 00:00 The Hook: Why delegation feels like it's failing (hint: it's not about trust) 00:58 Reality Check: The story of founder Kate, whose capable team couldn't stop asking questions 02:06 The Shift: Delegation isn't about handing off tasks. It's about setting people up to win. 03:16 The Move: Three questions that change everything before you delegate: What does success look like?What can they decide without you?How do we check in? 05:54 The Wrap: If delegation feels like micromanagement at first, you're doing it right. Key Takeaway: Five minutes of clarity upfront saves hours of back-and-forth later. Ready to delegate effectively? Visit https://www.lindavanegmond.com/ for more leadership tools and insights. The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you. Our mission is simple: to create a space where Swiss life and English voices connect, bringing you meaningful conversations, expert insights, and compelling stories from all over the country. Our podcast shows are made by, for, or in Switzerland and range from Health, Business, Career, Travel, and more. Mentioned in this episode: Discover More Shows at SwissCast.Network SwissCast Network Let's Connect on LinkedIn Find Linda on LinkedIn Linda on LinkedIn

    8 min
  10. Impact Founders, Listen Up! It Doesn't Have to Be This Hard!

    Feb 5

    Impact Founders, Listen Up! It Doesn't Have to Be This Hard!

    You're building an impact-driven business that matters. But you're drowning in decisions, stuck in the weeds, and thinking: this is harder than it needs to be. You're right. It is hard. But it doesn't have to be this hard. This Is Harder than I Want It to Be is your 5-8 minute weekly reset. One problem reframed. One action to take. One change that creates space. Hosted by Linda van Egmond, a 20-year veteran of working with impact founders and B-corp startup operator, this show tackles the real challenges of scaling without burning out. What you'll get: Delegation frameworks that actually workHow to build teams that don't need you for everythingSystems and processes that work with you, not against youSpace to focus on what matters most The promise: You can have impact without burnout. You can build something that scales without losing your soul. You can own a business that you don't run. Linda's going to show you how. Ready to make it easier? Visit https://www.lindavanegmond.com/ and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you. Our mission is simple: to create a space where Swiss life and English voices connect, bringing you meaningful conversations, expert insights, and compelling stories from all over the country. Our podcast shows are made by, for, or in Switzerland and range from Health, Business, Career, Travel, and more. Mentioned in this episode: Discover More Shows at SwissCast.Network SwissCast Network

    2 min

Trailer

About

Simple shifts and smart moves for overwhelmed, mission-driven founders. You started your business to make a difference. Two years in, you're making impact, but you're also making every decision, answering every question, and working way harder than you want to. You're not alone. And it doesn't have to be this hard. This Is Harder than I Want It to Be is your bi-weekly reality check for scaling without burnout or compromising on your values. In just 5-8 minutes, you'll get one perspective shift, one practical framework, and one action to take this week. What you'll learn: - Delegation that doesn't feel like micromanagement - How to build teams that solve problems without you - Systems and processes and tools that create space instead of constraint. - Balancing between working *in* your business and *on* it Hosted by Linda van Egmond, a fractional CMO and integrator who's spent 20 years building and supporting impact-driven startups and scale-ups, including The Ocean Cleanup. She's seen too many brilliant ideas fail, not because they weren't good enough, but because of lack of structure, overcomplication, or unrealistic expectations. This podcast distills hard and painful lessons into bite-sized, actionable insights. Perfect for: - Impact founders about 2-3 years into their journey - B-corp and social enterprise leaders - Mission-driven entrepreneurs ready to step out of operational chaos - Anyone building a business that matters without wanting to burn out The promise: You can have impact without burnout. You can build something that scales without losing your soul. You can own a business that you don't run. New episodes every other Thursday. Subscribe now and make it easier.

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