The Deal You Can’t Walk Away From Is Usually the One You Should: Ambition, Ego and Knowing When Enough Is Enough

Knowing When to Walk Away From a Deal: How ambition turns into emotional attachment, drawn from more than 150 acquisitions, and why walking away can be a form of resilience.

Ambitious people are conditioned to pursue opportunities.

Push harder. Find a way. Don't quit.

But some of the most important decisions in business — and life — require exactly the opposite skill: knowing when to walk away.

Through his experience of more than 150 acquisitions and the lessons behind his book Finding Gold, Saul Cohen has seen how easily ambition can become emotional attachment. Once someone has invested enough time, money, energy or reputation into an opportunity, walking away can start to feel like failure.

For men in particular, there is an interesting conversation around whether persistence is always a strength. Does changing your mind mean you've failed? Or can the confidence to say, “this isn't right anymore” actually be a more mature form of resilience?

Saul can use the world of acquisitions as the backdrop for a much broader conversation about ambition, ego, sunk costs and the courage required to change direction. It creates a natural bridge between the lessons in Finding Gold and decisions listeners face in their own businesses, careers and lives.

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About Saul Cohen

Empowering Entrepreneurs with Strategic Financial Advice

1 Business sold before starting his PwC careerPwC Assurance & Risk Management experience£1M+ Annual earnings of business owners he advisesPartner The Expert Eye

Saul Cohen is an experienced accountant, acquisitions advisor, and passionate advocate for entrepreneurship. With a distinguished career that spans top-tier firms such as PwC and leadership roles at The Expert Eye, Saul has honed his expertise in financial audits, risk analysis, and strategic acquisitions. He is committed to empowering entrepreneurs to transition from business operators to savvy investors, unlocking their full potential.

Drawing inspiration from personal experiences, including his father’s entrepreneurial journey, Saul has dedicated his career to helping small businesses and startups navigate the complexities of tax planning, acquisitions, and exit strategies. His holistic approach not only enhances business valuations but also enables entrepreneurs to reclaim their time and achieve financial freedom.

Saul’s work is characterized by a creative and practical approach to accounting, blending technical expertise with actionable strategies. His unique perspective resonates with successful business owners earning £1M+ annually, particularly those eager to optimize their wealth, prepare for business exits, or make impactful acquisitions.

As a podcast guest, Saul brings inspiring stories, actionable advice, and a passion for empowering entrepreneurs to achieve lasting success and drive positive change in their communities.

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The Deal You Can’t Walk Away From Is Usually the One You Should: Ambition, Ego and Knowing When Enough Is Enough

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