Episode 273

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Published on:

19th Aug 2025

Why Most Bosses Suck

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Have you ever wondered why so many bosses fail to inspire their teams? In this episode, Sharran dives into the controversial topic that no one wants to discuss—why most bosses suck. 


He argues that many leaders, who love their titles and control, often lack the necessary skills to be effective bosses, which can damage team dynamics and productivity. Sharran also explains what good leadership is all about and how you can become the kind of boss people actually want to work for.


If you’re a leader, he offers actionable insights to help you improve, and if you’re working under a boss who isn’t quite up to par, you'll find helpful advice on how to navigate that environment.


If you’re a boss or part of a team, listen to this episode and learn how to break away from the toxic “boss” mindset and become a true leader.


“Respect doesn't come from your position in the org chart; it comes from watching someone lead by example.”

- Sharran Srivatsaa



Timestamps:

01:34 - Leaders who love the title "boss"

03:54 - Hypocrisy in leadership: “Unemployable” entrepreneurs

04:45 - Great leaders manage the work, not the people

05:54 - The harmful impact of org charts

07:40 - The danger of credit-hungry bosses

09:10 - Titles don’t matter: focus on value, not status

10:49 - How great leaders learn from experience

11:38 - Leaders who don’t respond but expect responsiveness

12:30 - Leadership is a reverse triangle

14:20 - Leadership is about loving the work, not the title

15:52 - Two reasons why Sharran would choose to work for someone else


Resources:

- The Next Billion by Sharran Srivatsaa - https://sharransrivatsaa.substack.com/

- Acquisition.com -  https://www.acquisition.com/

- Join the Future Proof Community - https://futureproofsecrets.com/

- The Real Brokerage - https://www.joinreal.com/

- Top Agent Power Pack - https://sharran.activehosted.com/f/121

- The 5am Club - https://sharran.com/5amclub/

- Join the 10K Wisdom Private Partner Podcast, now available to you for free - https://www.highlandprime.com/optin-10k-wisdom

- Join Sharran's VIP Community - https://sharran.com/vip/

- ARC Multifamily Real Estate Investing - https://arcmf.com/

- Sharran's Partnership Program - https://www.highlandprime.com/

- Grab Sharran’s 4-Week MBA for Free - https://sharran.com/4weekmba/


Connect with Sharran:

- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/likesharran

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sharransrivatsaa/

- X - https://x.com/sharran

- LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/in/sharran

- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzpl_gT1bVB1iNZl9yQbWuA?sub_confirmation=1

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About the Podcast

Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa
Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa is the no-fluff, tactical podcast for founders, operators, and underdogs who want to grow with clarity, intention, and results. Hosted by entrepreneur, investor, and operator Sharran Srivatsaa—President and Managing Partner at Acquisition.com—this show cuts through the noise to deliver real-world strategies from someone who's built and exited five companies across multiple industries.

Sharran has helped scale two billion-dollar businesses, served as President of Real (NASDAQ: REAX), and led the 10x growth and sale of Teles Properties to Douglas Elliman (NYSE: DOUG). He brings lessons from Wall Street to Main Street, sharing what actually works—because he’s lived through what doesn’t.

Every episode offers simple, actionable playbooks for those who want to build extraordinary companies without the chaos. Whether you're a scrappy operator, a first-time founder, or a seasoned executive, Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa is your blueprint for building with purpose and winning on your terms.

For more free resources, visit Sharran.com

About your host

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Sharran Srivatsaa

Sharran is a serial entrepreneur, sought after keynote speaker, and a respected thought-leadership resource for publications such as the Wall Street Journal, SUCCESS magazine, Huffington Post and Forbes.

While Sharran has had 5 exits in the last 19 years, and also a several humbling failed investments and business initiatives. He talks all about them on his top rated Spotify podcast, Business School.

Most recently, Sharran led Teles Properties’ unprecedented 10x growth over 5 years and a 4-year consecutive streak on the Inc. 500 fastest growing companies list resulting in its acquisition by national real estate powerhouse Douglas Elliman.

Prior to Teles, Sharran worked at both Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, where he collaborated with management teams of fast-growing businesses around the country on investment advisory and corporate strategy. Sharran also spent several years building recreational programs in the Caribbean, Middle East, and Hawaii for some of the finest international resorts such as the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, also has deep experience working with technology companies such as Lightera (acquired by CIENA) and Obopay, a fast-growth mobile payments company.

Sharran is a Principal at Srilo Ventures, a multi-factor private investment fund that focuses investing in and advising technology companies and operating businesses in the consumer space. Having successfully completed many acquisitions, joint-ventures, management buyouts, mergers, and capital raises, Sharran serves as a director and advisor on numerous company boards.

He is also a member of the Genius Network, the highest-level marketing mastermind in the world led by whizkid Joe Polish, and also a member of Young President’s Organization (YPO).

After competing on the professional tennis tour, Sharran received his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Luther College and his MBA with Honors from Vanderbilt University.