- Brand Therapy for Founders
- Posts
- Comparison kills creation.
Comparison kills creation.
Founders call it motivation when really it’s poison.
This Monday post is landing on Tuesday since yesterday was Labor Day (US).
In competition, the leader isn’t looking at you. Michael Phelps wasn’t glancing sideways to see who was catching up. He kept his eyes forward, locked on the finish. The swimmer in second? Watching Phelps. And losing.

That’s what comparison does. You stop focusing on your own finish line and start wasting energy on theirs.
The energy feels real, but it rots momentum.
Every win they have feels like your loss. Every decision you make bends toward keeping up, not moving forward.
First place isn’t thinking about you. They’re thinking about the prize.
Sit with:
Where has envy disguised itself as “motivation”?
What decisions have you made just to keep up with someone else?
How much faster would you move if you stopped looking sideways?
Swimming in someone else’s lane? Let’s talk.
Comparison kills brands.
Bad culture kills companies → I Hate it Here shows you why.
👇
HR is lonely. It doesn’t have to be.
The best HR advice comes from people who’ve been in the trenches.
That’s what this newsletter delivers.
I Hate it Here is your insider’s guide to surviving and thriving in HR, from someone who’s been there. It’s not about theory or buzzwords — it’s about practical, real-world advice for navigating everything from tricky managers to messy policies.
Every newsletter is written by Hebba Youssef — a Chief People Officer who’s seen it all and is here to share what actually works (and what doesn’t). We’re talking real talk, real strategies, and real support — all with a side of humor to keep you sane.
Because HR shouldn’t feel like a thankless job. And you shouldn’t feel alone in it.
Ian Adams, Founder the little red sofa
Before founding the little red sofa, I led strategy and creative for brands like Jeep, HSBC, and Unilever at top global agencies and in-house teams across 8 countries. Now I work with founders to turn brand clarity into sustainable growth.