--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We were a fast-growing company, and I was…" description: "\"We were a fast-growing company, and I was a demanding boss.\" — Bernard Ebbers" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf7/bernard-ebbers-26932_boss_we-were-a-fast-growing-company-and-i-was_554160.png" --- # We were a fast-growing company, and I was a demanding boss. ![“We were a fast-growing company, and I was a demanding boss.” quote by Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf7/bernard-ebbers-26932_boss_we-were-a-fast-growing-company-and-i-was_554160.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf7/bernard-ebbers-26932_boss_we-were-a-fast-growing-company-and-i-was_554160.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf7/bernard-ebbers-26932_boss_we-were-a-fast-growing-company-and-i-was_554160.png) > “We were a fast-growing company, and I was a demanding boss.” [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A leader’s high expectations can drive rapid growth but may create a demanding workplace environment. **In simple terms:** Demanding leadership fuels growth but can be tough on staff. Key Takeaway Balance ambition with empathy. Themes leadership growth workplace culture Mood reflective serious Type advisory motivational When to use this quote - startup scaling - team management - performance pressure Key Concepts management style organizational dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders maintain standards without overburdening staff? - What support helps teams thrive under demanding leadership? A Different Perspective High pressure can lead to burnout if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boss/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Growing Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-company/) ## Related quotes > [In the simplest terms, a fast-growing company can't keep growing at the same fast rate forever. It eventually has to slow down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/om-malik/in-the-simplest-terms-a-fast-growing-company-can-t-keep-growing-at/) [Om Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/om-malik/) > [Talent is the lifeblood of a fast-growing company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taavet-hinrikus/talent-is-the-lifeblood-of-a-fast-growing-company/) [Taavet Hinrikus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taavet-hinrikus/) > [“Abstract you are the only social life I have right now. Long hours, a demanding boss and a girlfriend I have to program to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-thrussell/abstract-you-are-the-only-social-life-i-have-right-now-long-hours-a/) [Jill Thrussell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-thrussell/) > [You are the only boss you have. And I want you to be the most demanding boss that you can be. If you really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/you-are-the-only-boss-you-have-and-i-want-you-to-be-the-most/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [Keeping the balance of fast-growing and smooth-growing is always important. It's almost an art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guo-guangchang/keeping-the-balance-of-fast-growing-and-smooth-growing-is-always/) [Guo Guangchang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guo-guangchang/) > [I've tended to work at fast-growing companies that improve the way business gets done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-tended-to-work-at-fast-growing-companies-that-improve-the-way/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The weird thing is I feel like I'm shedding skin so fast and I'm growing and I'm becoming a new person so quickly at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-vernon/the-weird-thing-is-i-feel-like-i-m-shedding-skin-so-fast-and-i-m/) [Justin Vernon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-vernon/) > [Mobile is an incredibly fast-growing market and will continue to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-wojcicki/mobile-is-an-incredibly-fast-growing-market-and-will-continue-to-be/) [Susan Wojcicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-wojcicki/) > [The market is fast-moving, fast-growing. Things that are true today may not be true tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-li/the-market-is-fast-moving-fast-growing-things-that-are-true-today-may/) [Robin Li](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-li/) > [The wrecks of slavery are fast growing a fungus crop of sentiment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dean-howells/the-wrecks-of-slavery-are-fast-growing-a-fungus-crop-of-sentiment/) [William Dean Howells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dean-howells/) > [After decades of studying the men and women that make the decision to open their own Great, Growing Company, I'd have to say it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gerber/after-decades-of-studying-the-men-and-women-that-make-the-decision-to/) [Michael Gerber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gerber/) > [“If you are a one-person army or a very small company and you, as the entrepreneur, are the main person responsible for growing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chet-holmes/if-you-are-a-one-person-army-or-a-very-small-company-and-you-as-the/) [Chet Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chet-holmes/) > [During my time growing a company in the private sector, one of my guiding principles was to meet and hear feedback from as many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-braun/during-my-time-growing-a-company-in-the-private-sector-one-of-my/) [Mike Braun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-braun/) > [The recession's high unemployment rates may have encouraged people to start sole proprietorships, but there are many obstacles in the way of growing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-graves/the-recession-s-high-unemployment-rates-may-have-encouraged-people-to/) [Sam Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-graves/) > [I'm the CEO of a small growing company, and at each stage of our growth, it's become apparent to me that I need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-bates/i-m-the-ceo-of-a-small-growing-company-and-at-each-stage-of-our/) [Suzanne Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-bates/) ## More by Bernard Ebbers > [I used practically all the money I had available.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/i-used-practically-all-the-money-i-had-available/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) > [I wasn't ever advised by Scott Sullivan of anything ever being wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/i-wasn-t-ever-advised-by-scott-sullivan-of-anything-ever-being-wrong/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) > [The strength in our third-quarter financial results is cause for excitement. I'm particularly pleased that we continue to demonstrate impressive growth at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/the-strength-in-our-third-quarter-financial-results-is-cause-for/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) > [Our investments in data, Internet and international have been particularly timely and have positioned the company to post industry-leading incremental revenue gains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/our-investments-in-data-internet-and-international-have-been/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) > [The coachs job is to get the best players and get them to play together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/the-coachs-job-is-to-get-the-best-players-and-get-them-to-play/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) > [I guess the one question I will not get today is: When are you going to do anything about cellular?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/i-guess-the-one-question-i-will-not-get-today-is-when-are-you-going/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) > [We accelerated our capital spending in the fourth quarter, particularly in international and next-generation network deployment, which should not only sustain future revenue growth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/we-accelerated-our-capital-spending-in-the-fourth-quarter/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) > [I was a pretty good coach and working with marketing was like coaching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/i-was-a-pretty-good-coach-and-working-with-marketing-was-like-coaching/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) > [I know what I don't know. To this day, I don't know technology, and I don't know finance or accounting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/i-know-what-i-don-t-know-to-this-day-i-don-t-know-technology-and-i/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) > [Well, you have to understand where we came from. We are not here because we decided 10 years ago that we were going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/well-you-have-to-understand-where-we-came-from-we-are-not-here/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) > [Our communications services revenue growth is being driven by continued strong top-line performance in data, Internet and international - three of the fastest growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/our-communications-services-revenue-growth-is-being-driven-by/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) > [I don't know about technology and I don't know about finance and accounting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/i-don-t-know-about-technology-and-i-don-t-know-about-finance-and/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) > [I didn't have anything to apologize for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/i-didn-t-have-anything-to-apologize-for/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) > [I know I lost my temper, but I tried to be human along the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/i-know-i-lost-my-temper-but-i-tried-to-be-human-along-the-way/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) > [I just want you to know you aren't going to church with a crook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/i-just-want-you-to-know-you-aren-t-going-to-church-with-a-crook/) [Bernard Ebbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) [Explore all 21 Bernard Ebbers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/) ## More Boss quotes > [ME AND SUMMER GUNNA BE MOVING IN TOGETHER HELL YA ITS GUNNA BE BOSS!!!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-hawes/me-and-summer-gunna-be-moving-in-together-hell-ya-its-gunna-be-boss/) [Jon Hawes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-hawes/) > [“having sex with her boss.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-henning/having-sex-with-her-boss/) Stephen Henning > [Once in a while there's wisdom in recognizing that the Boss is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/once-in-a-while-there-s-wisdom-in-recognizing-that-the-boss-is/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [I understand the formula that producers hire directors and directors are hired to direct and actors are hired to act. I don't have any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-trejo/i-understand-the-formula-that-producers-hire-directors-and-directors/) [Danny Trejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-trejo/) > [It is reassuring for people to feel they have a boss, someone who knows the answers and has charted the course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-cukor/it-is-reassuring-for-people-to-feel-they-have-a-boss-someone-who/) [George Cukor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-cukor/) > [I don't have a boss or PR person, so I'm accountable to no one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/i-don-t-have-a-boss-or-pr-person-so-i-m-accountable-to-no-one/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [ I remember Robin \[Williams\] walked up to me after the last take and said, "Thanks boss! We nailed it!" That will probably be one… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-aguire/i-remember-robin-williams-walked-up-to-me-after-the-last-take-and/) Roberto Aguire > [For many of us, work is the one place where we feel appreciated. The things that we long to experience at home - pride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlie-russell-hochschild/for-many-of-us-work-is-the-one-place-where-we-feel-appreciated-the/) [Arlie Russell Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlie-russell-hochschild/) > [Your manager is your boss and tells you what to do, what to wear and who to be, so our relationship changed. I loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-mcdonald/your-manager-is-your-boss-and-tells-you-what-to-do-what-to-wear-and/) [Jane McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-mcdonald/) > [When I get home, I'm not the boss like I am at work - I slip into a more feminine role. I take everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-kerr/when-i-get-home-i-m-not-the-boss-like-i-am-at-work-i-slip-into-a-more/) [Miranda Kerr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-kerr/) > [I can't say it was challenging for me to shake the image of Frasier. I've been fortunate to have had a very interesting career…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelsey-grammer/i-can-t-say-it-was-challenging-for-me-to-shake-the-image-of-frasier-i/) [Kelsey Grammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelsey-grammer/) > [You will be at your best forever, Even now you have good moments. Occasional glimpses of your heavenly self. When you change your baby's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-will-be-at-your-best-forever-even-now-you-have-good-moments/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Take lack of candor. ... I'm not talking about boldface lying, but a tendency to withhold information. That behavior is far more common, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/take-lack-of-candor-i-m-not-talking-about-boldface-lying-but-a/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [“Pizza as a reward at work, gotta love it. Personally, I'd rather have that than a raise. Give me a pizza, boss, and let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/pizza-as-a-reward-at-work-gotta-love-it-personally-i-d-rather-have/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Let me spell it out: with the psychotic boss, nothing you do is ever quite right. They set traps, asking you to do things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/let-me-spell-it-out-with-the-psychotic-boss-nothing-you-do-is-ever/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) [Browse all 1,833 Boss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boss/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We were a fast-growing company, and I was a demanding boss.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bernard Ebbers" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/we-were-a-fast-growing-company-and-i-was-a-demanding-boss/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Boss" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/we-were-a-fast-growing-company-and-i-was-a-demanding-boss/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf7/bernard-ebbers-26932_boss_we-were-a-fast-growing-company-and-i-was_554160.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf7/bernard-ebbers-26932_boss_we-were-a-fast-growing-company-and-i-was_554160.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf7/bernard-ebbers-26932_boss_we-were-a-fast-growing-company-and-i-was_554160.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We were a fast-growing company, and I was a demanding boss.” — Bernard Ebbers", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bernard Ebbers", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ebbers/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We were a fast-growing company, and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/we-were-a-fast-growing-company-and-i-was-a-demanding-boss/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ebbers/we-were-a-fast-growing-company-and-i-was-a-demanding-boss/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```