What if failure wasn’t something to be feared, but embraced as a vital part of the entrepreneurial journey? Join us in this eye-opening episode as we sit down with Steve Arntz, a renowned entrepreneur and intrapreneur, to dissect the "Real F Word"—failure. Steve candidly shares his roller-coaster ride through the business world, from getting fired from his first job to facing monumental career decisions that shaped his path. He opens up about the mental and emotional toll of these experiences, and the often unseen sacrifices that come with entrepreneurial endeavors.

You'll be taken through Steve's pivotal career moments, such as the advice he received from Dave Grow about consulting at Bain, a tempting counteroffer to stay at Lucid, and a bold promise from Ryan Smith that underscored the lucrative allure of Qualtrics. We explore how these choices were less about missing opportunities and more about finding the perfect fit. Steve's journey eventually led him to Instructure, where he learned the profound importance of risk-taking and the real lessons that come from facing commercial challenges head-on.

We round off our conversation by redefining success beyond traditional financial metrics. Steve emphasizes that true success lies in the meaningful impact on people's lives and the invaluable lessons learned. He shares his thoughts on resilience, storytelling in leadership, and the necessity of a strong support system. This episode is packed with deep insights and real-life experiences that will resonate with anyone looking to understand the true essence of success and the indispensable role of persistence in entrepreneurship. Don’t miss out on this must-listen discussion that promises to reshape your perspective on failure and success in the business world.