Hedgehog was interviewing someone for a position at his company. Once the interview was over he was asked what the hardest thing about being a leader was in his opinion. Hedgehog thought for a few minutes and then replied, “The hardest part is staying optimistic when everything else is going wrong. You have issues with your products, your workers are agitated, and you don’t have enough time for everyone and yourself. It is easy to get upset and down but the hardest part is learning to stay optimistic because at the end of the day if a leader isn’t optimistic the company is going nowhere.”
Lesson: This lesson is inspired by the Rescue a CEO Post “5 Things Great Leaders Do and Failing Leaders Don’t“
Gresham W. Harkless Jr.https://iamgresh.com👤 Author Name: Gresham W. Harkless Jr.
Title: Franchise Broker & Entrepreneur | Founder, Blue Star Franchise
Experience: 15+ years in entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and business growth strategy
Location: Washington, D.C. Metro Area, USA
About the Author
Gresham W. Harkless Jr. is a seasoned entrepreneur, franchise broker, and the founder of Blue Star Franchise, where he helps aspiring and established business owners find the perfect franchise opportunity to match their goals, lifestyle, and financial vision.
With over 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and business development, Gresh has worked with hundreds of CEOs, founders, and small business owners through his media company Blue 16 Media and the I AM CEO Podcast, which has featured over 1,600 interviews. His unique background gives him a deep understanding of what makes a business succeed — and how the right franchise can change lives.
A proud member of the Franchise Broker Association (FBA), Gresham brings a consultative and client-first approach to franchise matching. His mission is to help people “run their race” by finding franchise opportunities that align with their purpose, skills, and lifestyle.
đź“š Credentials & Affiliations
Certified Franchise Broker – Franchise Broker Association (FBA)
Founder – Blue Star Franchise & Blue 16 Media
Host – I AM CEO Podcast (1,600+ episodes)
Featured in – 50+ Black Marketers on the Rise, Influencer & Media Innovators (2022)
B.S. in Business Administration – Howard University
