I’ve discovered a unique way to “curse” people I don’t particularly care for. Instead of wishing them failure or misfortune, I do the opposite — I wish them overwhelming success. This isn’t your typical approach to dealing with difficult people, but I’ve found it to be both satisfying and psychologically intriguing.
When I encounter someone I don’t like, I enthusiastically tell them: “I wish you all the success in the world. I hope you have thousands of employees and millions of square feet of office or warehouse space.” They invariably thank me, completely unaware that I’ve just placed what I call “the curse of the founder” upon them.
Why Success Can Be a Curse
What makes this a curse rather than a blessing? The reality of massive business growth is far different from the fantasy. Many entrepreneurs dream of building empires without understanding the true weight of that responsibility.
Managing thousands of employees isn’t glamorous – it’s exhausting. Each person brings their own problems, personalities, and needs. The founder transforms from a visionary into a full-time people manager, constantly putting out fires instead of building their dream.
Those millions of square feet of office or warehouse space? They represent enormous overhead costs, maintenance headaches, and logistical nightmares. The bigger the operation grows, the more complex the problems become.
The Hidden Burdens of Massive Success
The curse works because most people don’t realize what they’re signing up for when they dream of massive business success. Here’s what they don’t see coming:
- The crushing weight of responsibility for employees’ livelihoods
- The loss of freedom and flexibility that initially attracted them to entrepreneurship
- The endless stream of problems that grow proportionally with the business
- The distance that forms between the founder and the actual work they once loved
- The personal toll on health, relationships, and quality of life
Many founders who achieve this kind of “success” find themselves trapped in golden handcuffs, unable to step away from businesses they no longer enjoy running.
Why This Approach Works
What makes this curse particularly effective is that it plays on ego and ambition. The person being “cursed” hears only the positive affirmation of their dreams. They respond with gratitude: “Oh, dude, thank you so much. Anything I can do to help you?”
They have no idea that I’m wishing upon them a future filled with sleepless nights, constant stress, and the slow realization that they’ve built a prison of their own making. The beauty of it is that they walk away feeling good about our interaction while I know what potentially awaits them.
This isn’t about wishing failure on someone. It’s about understanding that certain types of “success” can be more punishing than failure for the unprepared or the unworthy. It’s a sophisticated form of karmic justice that requires no action on my part.
A Lesson in Perspective
Beyond the satisfaction of a clever “curse,” this perspective offers a valuable lesson for all entrepreneurs. We should carefully consider what type of success we’re chasing and why. The traditional metrics of more employees, bigger facilities, and higher revenues don’t automatically translate to a better business or a better life.
Sometimes the most successful founders are those who maintain smaller, manageable operations that align with their values and lifestyle goals. They focus on profitability, impact, and personal fulfillment rather than size and scale.
So the next time you encounter someone difficult in business, consider wishing them “all the success in the world” – and mean it exactly as I do. It might be the most polite revenge you’ll ever take.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Isn’t wishing someone success, even as a “curse,” still a positive thing?
It depends on the person and their preparedness. For someone who understands the challenges of scaling a business and has the right systems and mindset, it could indeed be a blessing. But for many, especially those with difficult personalities or poor management skills, the pressures of massive growth often lead to personal and professional disaster.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge founders face when scaling to thousands of employees?
The transition from hands-on entrepreneur to corporate leader requires an entirely different skill set. Many founders excel at creating products or services but struggle with building organizational structures, delegating effectively, and managing complex human dynamics across large teams. This disconnect often leads to burnout, poor company culture, and strategic missteps.
Q: How can entrepreneurs avoid falling victim to “the curse of the founder”?
Start by defining what success truly means to you beyond conventional metrics. Build your business with intentionality rather than endless growth as the goal. Develop strong leadership teams early, create robust systems that don’t depend solely on you, and regularly reassess whether your company’s direction aligns with your personal values and quality of life.
Q: Are there examples of founders who have successfully navigated massive growth without suffering?
Yes, but they’re the exception rather than the rule. The most successful examples typically involve founders who built exceptional leadership teams, remained clear about their personal boundaries, and created healthy company cultures. Many also reached points where they stepped back from day-to-day operations into chairman or advisory roles that better suited their strengths and preferences.
Q: Is there a “right size” for a business to avoid these problems?
There’s no universal right size, but there is a right size for each founder based on their goals, skills, and desired lifestyle. Some entrepreneurs thrive running global enterprises with thousands of employees, while others find greater fulfillment and profitability with lean teams of 10-50 people. The key is making conscious choices about growth rather than blindly pursuing expansion for its own sake.
