Building Four Seasons with the Wisdom of The Untethered Soul
Hi there, friend —
Leadership isn’t something you do to the world.
It’s something you build inside yourself, because real leadership starts within.
That’s why I love The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer — a generous book full of wisdom for anyone brave enough to do the hard, hidden work of becoming the best version of themselves.
Last week, I shared the story of Isadore Sharp and how he built Four Seasons into the most iconic hotel brand in the world.
Today, I want to share three takeaways from The Untethered Soul — and how Sharp lived these principles as a leader and a builder.
1. The Inner Roommate
“Your will is stronger than the habit of listening to that voice. There is nothing you can’t do. Your will is supreme over all of this.”
We all have a monkey mind — that inner chatter trying to protect us from embarrassment by keeping us small.
Sharp could have listened to that voice.
He had no formal hotel experience. He was a builder, not a hotelier.
But he didn’t let the doubts win.
He trusted his ability to bring a vision to life — even when the world (and his own mind) told him he couldn’t.
(And sometimes, it’s the only thing that does.)
2. Pain
“Pain is not a problem. It is just a thing in the universe … just look at it objectively, like you would a mild bruise.”
Sharp had an incredible relationship with pain — and with the struggle of building something world-class.
He famously said, “Excellence is the capacity to withstand pain.”
He expected pain.
He accepted it.
He understood that the road to greatness runs straight through it. The other greats did it too.
Sharp didn’t let pain become suffering.
He let it pass through him — without letting it pull him off course.
(There’s a lesson there for all of us chasing something meaningful.)
3. Death
“You fear death because you think there’s something to get that you haven’t experienced yet… death actually helps you get your life back by making you pay attention to the moment.”
Singer reminds us: death creates urgency.
It makes this moment precious. Death is the greatest teacher.
Sharp lived like he knew that.
He built an incredible company alongside people he liked, admired, and trusted.
He didn’t postpone his dreams.
He lived fully — knowing that life is short, and that building something beautiful with people you love is one of the highest expressions of a life well-lived.
Work matters.
Family matters.
And the way we show up to both is where the real meaning is found.
It’s not just about where we’re going.
It’s about who we’re becoming along the way.
Mastering the four empires of our lives — heart, soul, mind, and body — that’s the real work.
And it’s work worth doing.
I can’t recommend The Untethered Soul enough.
It’s earned a place on my “all-time favorites” shelf, right next to Awareness, Man’s Search for Meaning, Mindset, and a few more that have shaped the way I see the world.
I’m grateful to keep growing and learning alongside you.
Onward,
Matt