When I sat down with Andreas Pettersson on my podcast, Innovate & Overcome, I expected a conversation about exits and executive strategy, but instead got a raw, honest look at how personal crisis redefines leadership.
Andreas is a three-time CEO with successful tech exits. But his biggest growth came from nearly dying and raising a child with autism.
“Up until that point,” Andreas says, “I believed I was immortal.”
The Sunday That Changed Everything
Andreas recalls a Sunday in 2018 like it was yesterday. He had just spent a normal afternoon swimming with his kids. That night, something felt off.
“I was sweating for no reason. My Apple Watch said my heart rate was 180. I told my wife something was wrong. Next thing I knew, I passed out.”
He woke up surrounded by doctors. They were prepping a defibrillator. He texted his wife: “I love you.” Then silence.
The diagnosis: AFib, tachycardia, and a sinus pulse issue.
Andreas’ point reminds me how often entrepreneurs, myself included, neglect their health. It also brings to mind something my friend Dennis Yu said during our conversation on “Why Most Entrepreneurs Fail and How You Can Succeed“: health comes first.
He’s had two heart surgeries since and learned to recognize warning signs. He even uses the Valsalva maneuver to sometimes reset his heart.
Becoming CEO and Getting a Life-Changing Diagnosis
Andreas tells me that on the same day he became CEO, he got life-altering news: his son was diagnosed with autism.
“That morning, I officially became CEO. That afternoon, we got the diagnosis. It was surreal.”
His son couldn’t speak, had severe tantrums, and injured himself often. Andreas and his wife split duties—he focused on business, she focused on care.
What hit me was how isolated he felt. “That’s when we started seeing light at the end of the tunnel,” he says, referring to a support group that finally helped.
For those of us balancing family and business, this hit home. We often try to compartmentalize, but it all bleeds together.
How Crisis Created True Resilience
Andreas says two experiences reshaped him:
- Facing death.
- Raising his son.
“I wake up happy to be alive. Fear still exists, but it doesn’t own me anymore.”
He stopped chasing status. Started focusing on what actually matters.
This mirrors what I see in clients who build long-term wealth—they shift from urgency to intentionality.
How Trauma Made Andreas Pettersson a Better Leader
I asked Andreas how trauma changed his leadership.
“The first time your heart breaks. You lose a parent. You face illness. These shape you.”
His answers are quiet but firm. He’s not quoting theory. He’s lived this.
“Real leadership starts with knowing yourself. You can’t lead others if you don’t understand your own mind.”
This is closely related to what my buddy Mike Malatesta told me during one of our discussions. Mike shared that losing his business partner was a moment of self-doubt and led to growth.
What He Looks for in Potential
When I ask what he looks for in mentees, Andreas is clear:
- Integrity when no one’s watching.
- Curiosity.
- Insecure overachievers.
“The best ones are overachievers who doubt themselves.” He sees potential not in resumes but in how people think.
I’ve seen the same in clients. It’s not about confidence but about willingness to grow.
The Right Questions Unlock Growth
Andreas collects questions the way some collect coins.
“I don’t care about the answer but about their self-awareness.”
His favorite? “When were you last a hero?”
He uses questions, not lectures, to build leaders. That stuck with me. In finance, we often jump to tactics. He starts with curiosity.
Mentorship, Community, and a Big Idea
Andreas lights up when we talk mentorship.
“Everyone wants money for it. I want to build a free community.”
He’s designing a system that matches mentors and mentees based on values and goals. I love this. It’s the kind of thing that could help so many advisors.
“You can’t internalize your own lessons until you mentor others.”
That’s something I see often—mentoring forces clarity.
Leadership is Universal
I ask if Andreas thinks great leadership is industry-specific.
“Leadership is universal. My best mentors were outside my industry.”
“A concrete factory owner can teach you more than another SaaS exec.” That perspective is rare—and valuable.
It reminded me of my own mentors who weren’t in finance but helped shape how I think.
Work With People, Not Just Skill Sets
Andreas and I laugh about Kolbe scores and team dynamics. I tell him how I adjusted how I work with my assistant after learning her strengths.
“She’s sequential, I’m random. I can’t see her task list, or I skip ahead.”
He shares how his wife is the COO in their home while he solves problems mid-drive. We both agree—know your people and build around them.
Live With Intention
As we wrap, I ask Andreas what he wants readers to remember.
“Life is long if you know how to use it.”
He doesn’t say it lightly but repeats it slowly.
“You already know who you need to cut. Don’t wait. Don’t wait for a health scare. Just do it.”
I nodded because that’s not just leadership advice but life advice.
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