In the noisy world of startups and tech culture, Sam Corcos, the 36-year-old founder and CEO of Levels, has emerged as a trailblazer who defies conventional wisdom. While most executives chase the latest headlines or stay glued to Slack and social media, Corcos has cultivated a work philosophy grounded in deep focus, intentional writing, and strategic disconnection from distractions. This approach has played a central role in propelling Levels, a health-tech company, to a valuation of $300 million.
Who is Sam Corcos?
Sam Corcos is an American entrepreneur and technology leader, best known as the co-founder and CEO of Levels, a metabolic health company dedicated to helping individuals monitor and optimize their glucose levels. Under his leadership, Levels has grown into a standout player in the burgeoning health tech space.
Based in the United States, Corcos has positioned himself at the intersection of health innovation and remote-first startup culture. Despite his rising profile, Corcos is known for maintaining a degree of personal privacy. While little is shared publicly about his family life, it is well-documented that he values intentionality, balance, and thoughtful living—principles that extend well beyond the boardroom.
As of early 2025, Sam Corcos’ estimated net worth is approximately $50 million, largely stemming from his significant equity in Levels, along with other strategic investments.
The Philosophy That Powers a $300 Million Company
Sam Corcos has built his reputation not just on business acumen but on how he works. Eschewing the typical fast-paced, reactive style that defines much of Silicon Valley, Corcos champions a slower, more deliberate model based on deep work and strategic writing. His unique leadership style has fueled both personal and organizational success.
Since 2013, Corcos has made a conscious choice to step away from the daily barrage of news, instead allocating that time to higher-value activities such as reading, critical thinking, and building Levels into the powerhouse it is today.
12 Powerful Lessons from Sam Corcos on Writing, Work, and Focus
Corcos’ disciplined approach offers lessons that are increasingly rare in modern work culture. Here are 12 insights from his playbook that entrepreneurs and professionals alike can leverage:
1. Avoid the Attention Fragmentation Trap
Corcos highlights how the average tech worker checks Slack every six minutes, splintering their focus. He encourages building systems that enable deep, uninterrupted work.
2. Make Your Writing Count
In an environment flooded with superficial content, Corcos advises creating writing that delivers genuine value—offering original insights rather than adding noise.
3. Deep Work Beats Groupthink
Contrary to the belief that constant collaboration is key, Corcos trusts small teams or individuals who can dive deep and produce thoughtful, high-leverage work independently.
4. Replace News Consumption with Learning
In a personal experiment, Corcos stopped reading the news for a month and instead read eight books. This shift helped him amass compounded knowledge more efficiently.
5. Clarity Comes Through Writing
When business challenges become bogged down by ambiguity, writing forces clarity and sharpens focus. Corcos sees writing as a vital tool for team alignment.
6. Writing Unlocks Long-Term Strategy
Corcos treats writing not just as communication but as a cognitive amplifier, unlocking strategic thinking crucial for leadership and decision-making.
7. Hire Strong Writers
With Levels being a fully remote company, strong writing skills are non-negotiable. Without them, internal communication risks devolving into confusion and inefficiency.
8. Use Hybrid Communication for Better Feedback
Corcos recommends delivering specific feedback in writing while reserving tools like Loom videos for broader commentary. This ensures clarity while preserving empathy.
9. Empower Quiet Voices
A writing-first culture allows less vocal team members to contribute meaningfully, preventing louder personalities from dominating live discussions.
10. Schedule Deep Work Like a Meeting
Corcos blocks out time specifically for deep work and writing, treating these hours as sacred and non-negotiable.
11. Take Regular “Think Weeks”
Every quarter, Corcos disconnects from daily operations to engage in a “Think Week,” where he crafts deep strategy documents and assesses Levels’ direction without distraction.
12. Escape the Echo Chamber
Corcos is vocal about how creativity often suffers in environments flooded with groupthink. Disconnecting and writing solo can help expose flawed assumptions and generate truly novel ideas.
The Competitive Advantage of Slowing Down
Corcos’ philosophy is a sharp contrast to the “always-on” hustle culture that dominates much of the tech and startup world. His commitment to deep work, intentional communication, and long-term thinking has not only shaped Levels’ success but also positioned him as a role model for founders looking to build sustainable, high-performance teams.
By prioritizing deliberate, structured thought over reactionary habits, Corcos has proven that discipline—not speed—is the real competitive advantage in today’s hyperconnected world.
A Blueprint for Founders and Leaders
For business leaders facing constant pings and endless demands for attention, Corcos’ approach is both refreshing and instructive. His method is a reminder that thoughtful disconnection, disciplined writing, and strategic deep work can yield not just personal clarity but also transformative business results.
As Levels continues to thrive in the competitive health tech sector, it’s clear that Sam Corcos’ countercultural mindset will remain a cornerstone of the company’s continued growth and innovation.