While writing my second book on Alexander the Great entitled The Confessions of Alexander the Great: 33 Lessons in Greatness, I was surprised to learn he executed one of his top commanders, Parmenion. I would never endorse anything like that, but I understood the underlying truth. When someone no longer follows the mission, leaders sometimes need to part ways. In Alexander’s era, that did not involve a severance package or a polite LinkedIn farewell.

Success has a strange way of testing loyalty. Many of us treat strangers better than our own people. I have been guilty of that myself at times. No leader is perfect. History is full of brilliant yet flawed prophets, kings, commanders, inventors, and builders.

Throughout my journey, I have worked with both mercenaries and missionaries. Both types of people have their place.

When we closed our PE deal in 2020, it completely changed how I view money. We paid significant fees to mercenaries who generally do not think about your challenges when they are not on the clock. Meanwhile, relatively speaking, the true missionaries who worked alongside me for fifteen or more years deserved so much more.

Life is not fair, but if you do not learn from those moments and act differently, then you become the type of person you disliked when climbing the ladder. If you want to stay on top, you need to show loyalty to the people who matter (most – to be clear, every single human & living being matters).

The term “FU Money” is one I dislike, but everyone understands it – especially on this website. To me, it is not about being rude or dismissive. It is about becoming more polite, more patient, and more compassionate (or trying to). It is about saying thank you, you are welcome, and I am sorry even when you do not have to say it.

I am not religious, but I do not view money the way much of Western society does. Money on its own is useless. It is energy, a means to an end. My principles remain far more important. Putting them in practice is the hard part.

There is a saying that captures this truth.
– A liar thinks everyone lies
– A cheater thinks everyone cheats
– A dishonest person suspects others of the same
This is projection at work.

When people assume I am being greedy (for lack of better word) because I focus on details that many founders ignore or because I refuse to rush to seize the bag, I understand where that assumption comes from. The Western capitalist mindset often struggles to comprehend someone who is actually less driven by money. The irony is that I may be the least greedy person in the room. I am willing to walk away from any deal, no matter how lucrative, if it harms my people. I used to think that once others understood my intent, they would appreciate it. Now I realize that FU Money means not caring whether they ever do.