ATG 267: We Wanted to Love Coming to Work Every Day: Building a Business Without Burnout with Patrick Lencioni

All It Takes Is A Goal

All It Takes Is A Goal
ATG 267: We Wanted to Love Coming to Work Every Day: Building a Business Without Burnout with Patrick Lencioni
Feb 02, 2026 Episode 267
Jon Acuff

Patrick Lencioni built a multimillion-dollar business, sold 10 million books, and became one of the most influential leadership voices in the world. But here's what you might not know: he never had a five-year plan, turned down opportunities to scale, and prioritized loving his work over maximizing revenue. In this episode, Pat shares the behind-the-scenes story of building The Table Group, why he kept his team at just 15 full-time employees while empowering thousands of consultants, and how saying no to growth actually gave him an unfair competitive advantage. You'll discover why his wife gave him their house fund to start the business, how he protects time with his family despite constant opportunities, and why one of their core values is "we want to love coming to work every day." If you're building something or thinking about starting, this conversation will completely reframe how you think about success.

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