Issue 158, Part Time CEO Newsletter

Hey, it's Dhiren 👋,

Last week inside Council, I ran an exercise to help founders unlock their most powerful version.

It wasn't about goal-setting or vision boards.
It was simpler than that.

We asked each founder to identify a version of themselves they already knew but didn't always trust.

Not their ideal self.
Not their future self.
But the version that shows up when it really counts.

You know the one.

The you that gets calm in a crisis.
The you that delivers the pitch without hesitation.
The you that holds the line in a tough conversation.
The you that says what needs to be said, clearly and kindly.
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That version isn’t an accident.
Turns out, that's what an Alter Ego actually is.

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🧠 Shift One: The Version You Already Are

Here's what came out of the exercise:
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Most founders already operate with an Alter Ego.
They just don't call it that.

They say things like:
​“Drunk me is way more confident.”
“I’m a different person when I’m in work mode.”
“Something shifts when I go on stage.” or
"I don't even recognize myself on vacation."

These are all contextual selves; different versions of you that show up when the situation changes.

And here's the insight I want to share:

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🧠 Shift Two: Choose Who Shows Up

During the exercise, I asked everyone to give that identity a name. To define how they act, what they believe, how they lead.

It wasn't about faking confidence.
It was about setting up an internal protocol:

"When founder-me wants to freeze, this version takes over."

Most founders switch into leadership mode accidentally.
Something clicks under pressure and for a moment, they lead how they know they can.

The Alter Ego helps you make that shift on purpose.
Not by pretending. But by choosing who shows up.

Because hesitation doesn’t come from not knowing.
It comes from staying too close to the version of you that feels safe.

The Alter Ego breaks that loop.
It’s the permission slip you didn’t know you were waiting for.

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Your Turn

Think back to a moment where you showed up with clarity, strength, or courage.

A moment where you surprised even yourself.

That version of you is real. You’ve already met them.

👉 What would you name that version?
👉 What do they do that you’ve been avoiding?
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Hit reply and let me know.

🧭 Know a founder who needs to hear this?
Forward this. It could be the push they need.
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📢 Dhiren’s Updates

We celebrated Diwali this past weekend with family and close friends and our third one with little Prisha, which made it all the more special.

It reminded me how much identity shifts in seasons like this not just as a founder, but as a father, a husband, a host.

And how important it is to be intentional about who shows up in each role.

📌 Dhiren’s Pick of the Week

📘 Book: The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman

This book inspired the Council exercise. If the idea clicked, start here.

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ps: did someone forward this to you?​
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Cheers,