Welcome to a new kind of conversation on “Running With Scissors.” In this special episode, we pull back the curtain and introduce HumanOp CEO, Sean, for the first installment of what we’re calling the “Maestro Moment.” This isn’t your typical filtered, “everything-is-rosy” business story. This is a transparent, real-time look under the hood of HumanOp as we navigate the challenges and triumphs of building something truly revolutionary.
The “Why” Behind the Merger: An Unwavering Commitment to Authentic Alignment
The first question Sean tackles is the big one: Why merge? Why would a successful fractional COO firm (“What If”) choose to fully integrate with HumanOp instead of just continuing a partnership? For Sean, the answer was a matter of principle.
- Solving the Unsolvable: HumanOp’s technology solved for the one thing his own systems-focused approach never could: the human element. And it did so not with opinion, but with objective math and science.
- Avoiding Hypocrisy: To recognize a superior, more complete solution that perfectly complemented their own—and not go all-in—would have been a direct contradiction of the very advice they gave their clients.
- Shared Core Values: The decision was sealed by a deep alignment in core values and mission. This allowed the merger to happen with incredible speed, built on a foundation of trust rather than mountains of legal paperwork. It’s about being comfortable enough to do the deal on a handshake; then you can paper it up.
The Symphony of Chaos: Initial Impressions Post-Merger
Walking into the newly merged entity, Sean’s initial “Harmonious” reaction was complex. He saw a room full of immensely talented musicians, but they were all playing slightly different songs.
The team was aligned on a grand, world-changing vision, but the focus was too broad. With the promise of large-scale funding on the horizon, the team was built to solve every problem at once, leading to a clash of priorities. It was a band where everyone wanted to be the lead singer. Sean’s immediate concern was the need to bring a fine point to the mission, lest the immense potential be scattered and the momentum wasted.
The Turning Point: How the Scottsdale Retreat Forged a New Path
The true catalyst for change came during HumanOp’s first immersive business retreat. By “eating our own dog food” and applying the combined power of the Harmonious and HumanOp methodologies to a group of business owners, the team witnessed incredible transformations. The experience was so powerful that one attendee compared the combination to a “nuclear weapon.”
This removed any doubt about the merger’s potential and gave the team the confidence to scrap the theoretical mission and values that existed on paper. They went back to the whiteboard and rebuilt the company’s foundational principles based on what they knew in their hearts worked, forging them from direct, impactful experience.
The “Maestro Moment”: A CEO’s Nightly Challenge with Opportunity
What keeps the Maestro of HumanOp up at night? It’s the very success they’ve created. HumanOp is now facing several massive, industry-defining opportunities with Fortune-level companies. The challenge is balancing these enormous possibilities with the current team’s capacity.
Sean’s task is to be “the decider”—choosing which fire to point the hose at without overclocking the team or letting other great opportunities die on the vine. It’s an exercise in extreme focus, cutting away projects that, while exciting, don’t align with the most direct path to their 18-month goals. It’s about getting the right people on the right projects that not only serve the mission but also authentically light them up. The goal is to stretch the team’s thinking to match the scale of the opportunity, fostering hope and momentum while navigating the very real constraints of a startup.
Your HAi Prompt for Business Clarity:
Inspired by this candid conversation? Sean offers a powerful prompt to take into your HumanOp app:
Ask HAi: “Given my primary drivers, what would you recommend I do with my business so that I will feel like I’m having more fun?”
Fun is not a frivolous metric; it’s a sign of alignment. If you’re not having fun, you might be playing someone else’s game.
Listen to the full episode for a deeper, more candid look at the HumanOp journey. And if you’re a business leader, reflect on this: are you having fun? Is your team playing the same game? If not, it might be time for a different approach.
