What I’ve learned. What I’m still learning. Brief thoughts on business, leadership, performance, and life — sharing one idea at a time.

I’ve been quietly working on MikeSteward.com for a while.

More than a website, I want it to be a place to share what I’ve learned — and what I’m still learning.

After more than 20 years of building, operating, buying, selling and advising businesses, I’ve collected plenty of lessons.

But I’m still learning every day.

Recently, during meditation, three simple reminders stood out to me:

Curiosity. Compassion. Lightheartedness.

Curiosity

Leaders are expected to have answers.

But often, the better skill is knowing what questions to ask.

What am I missing?

Am I spending my time on what actually matters?

What would someone outside the situation see that I can’t?

Curiosity helps us find our blind spots.

Compassion

High standards and compassion can coexist.

We can hold ourselves and others accountable without losing sight of the people behind the work.

Employees. Customers. Partners. Family.

Business is ultimately built around people.

Lightheartedness

High performers can make everything feel important.

And eventually, everything starts feeling heavy.

Serious work doesn’t require us to be serious every minute.

Laugh. Notice what’s good. Enjoy the people around you.

Lightheartedness isn’t a lack of ambition. It’s remembering to enjoy the life you’re working so hard to build.

I’ve put these three reminders in my phone during the day:

Curiosity. Compassion. Lightheartedness.

A small reminder to stop and ask:

How am I showing up right now?

That’s the spirit behind Mike’s Notes.

One short note each week about business, leadership, performance and life — drawn from what I’ve learned and what I’m still figuring out.

No noise.

Just an idea worth carrying with you.

Built. Still building.

— Mike