The Real ROI Talk
KPIs are bullshit. Here's what matters most.
Sometimes, a few words can shift everything. This week, someone said something that truly moved me.
It was simply “I deeply respect your work.”
And it hit me harder than any metric ever has.
Because here’s the truth: I wasn’t sure I did. I’ve been so hard on myself — always comparing, minimizing, pushing. Telling myself that I’m not doing anything special. That other people are building better, faster, louder.
But what if that’s not the real metric? What if the real ROI is how deeply you respect what you’re building — and who you’re becoming in the process?
That moment cracked something open. Now, every morning, I close my eyes and repeat a new kind of KPI to myself as a mantra:
I deeply respect my work.
My professional work.
My self-work.
My life’s work.
Psychologists distinguish between self-esteem and self-respect.
Self-esteem is feeling capable and valuable—linked to motivation, boundaries, and mental health.
Self-respect, though, is deeper: upholding your own dignity, setting boundaries, and living by your values.
Without self-respect, top-line growth feels hollow. You’re either performing or collapsing into doubt.
What Self‑Respect Really Does
Boosts resilience: It’s the psychological anchor that helps you face challenges rather than run—foundational for mental health.
Improves decision-making: When you value your work, you make choices that protect integrity—even if they hurt short-term metrics.
Enables respectful leadership: People feel the difference when their leaders respect themselves—and inspire respect in return.
But What About KPIs?
They still matter, but organic SaaS growth—growth rooted in real customer value—trumps anything that can be tactically pumped by paid ads.
McKinsey found that SaaS companies with strong organic growth generate 3.8x higher shareholder returns than their peers.
Tomasz Tunguz notes that organic growth is 5–7x more capital efficient than inorganic growth.
Our journey at Olympia: 0 to $8K MRR in the first year, entirely built on experimentation, community, and content.
These aren’t vanity stats—they’re signs of deep product-market fit and sustainable growth.
The Real ROI
The real ROI? It’s not just revenue or traffic. It’s how much you respect your craft (and it starts with self-respect).
Another ROI metric is how your work shows up. Are you building a product that reflects your values, not chasing press coverage or valuations?
And last but not least, what do you refuse to compromise on? Whether it’s customer empathy, integrity in decision-making, or authenticity in communication, stick to your values.
🎙️ Join My Webinar on Organic Growth Marketing
I’m inviting you to join my free live webinar on July 30th at 4 pm Lisbon time. I’ll share my proven organic marketing system I created to grow our AI SaaS from 0 to $8K MRR organically in the first year.
🎯 What you’ll learn:
Why most organic growth tips fail
The 3-part system that finally worked
Real examples from Olympia (including mistakes)
How to start building your own organic growth engine — without burnout
🎁 You’ll get:
A free copy of my Organic Growth Blueprint (PDF)
An exclusive bonus offer just for live attendees
Tap on the button below to register:
#GoldenFindings
💡 #GoldenFindings
As a first-time CEO, it's crucial to recognize that KPIs don't solely determine your value. True leadership stems from self-respect and a holistic understanding of your company's health. Here are three insightful reads to help you navigate this journey:
Why KPIs Don't Work; And How To Fix Them
Steve Denning critiques traditional KPIs, highlighting their misalignment with unclear organizational goals. He advocates for a shift towards digital-era leadership, focusing on delivering value to external customers and using external measures for KPIs.Organic Growth Rate: The True Measure of Sustainable SaaS Success
This article emphasizes the importance of organic growth in SaaS businesses, suggesting that companies with formal customer success programs achieve 30% higher organic growth rates than those without. It advocates for focusing on customer success to drive sustainable growth.Knowing the Value of Your Work
This piece discusses the importance of recognizing the value of your work, regardless of external validation. The author encourages individuals to acknowledge their worth and not let self-doubt undermine their contributions.
#CEOCheck
What would change if you genuinely respected your work—before, during, and after the metrics?
Reply and let me know. I’d love to hear what this shift looks like for you.
I look forward to continuing the conversation during the webinar. Let’s make respect work for us—together. Will share more exciting news with you soon!
Let’s Connect!
For more authentic content like this and first-time CEO insights, follow me on Linkedin and Instagram and The First-Time CEO show on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts. I launch Season 2 this month.If you’d like to be my podcast guest, please fill in this form, and I’ll contact you if it's a good fit!