Supercharge Your Leadership: Lessons From Six Leaders Who Transformed Their Startups Into Global Success Stories

Advancing one’s leadership style has been top of mind for the entrepreneurs a part of our community at Embarc Collective. Embarc Collective hosted its fifth annual Leadership Summit, made possible by The First Bank, which spotlighted proven strategies from top operators and visionaries who have steered their startups into global success stories. Skillful leadership involves balancing communication, vision, and culture, all of which play pivotal roles in guiding in how someone leads.

“People simply want to know how to be successful, and it is the manager who creates or destroys the circumstances under which it may occur.”

Russ Laraway | Chief People Officer, Goodwater Capital and author of “When They Win, You Win”

On Continuous Coaching

• People simply want to know how to be successful, and it is the manager who creates or destroys the circumstances under which it may occur. By providing specific and sincere feedback, you empower your team to precisely understand what leads to success and how to replicate it, fostering a culture of excellence within your startup.

On Prioritization

• Effective leadership entails a keen focus on prioritization and understanding that many activities don’t equate to success. It’s vital to emphasize quality over quantity, ensuring that your team members are crystal clear about the key tasks that will drive impact. Encourage a culture of deliberate subtraction, meaning focusing on a limited number of impactful tasks, contributing to the company’s overall success.

“The key is to be intentional and if you aren’t deliberate about your culture, it will manifest on its own, for better or worse.”

Lea Engelhardt | CEO, Paine Ventures

On Scaling Your Company Culture

• Culture isn’t just about perks or quirky rituals. It’s the beating heart of your company. It’s the sum of your values, rituals, and metrics that define how you operate and accomplish tasks. The key is to be intentional and if you aren’t deliberate about your culture, it will manifest on its own, for better or worse.

On Scaling Talent

• Understand that not all leaders are effective managers, and not all managers are natural leaders. As a leader, your role involves setting the vision, creating a plan, and ensuring your team understands how they fit into the bigger picture. When it comes to managers, they are responsible for removing roadblocks, supporting their team’s success, and prioritizing tasks.

“Ensure you have the right players to support the ever-evolving path of a startup.”

Christy Brown | CEO, Dr. Noze Best

On Aligning Your Team with Your Mission

• As you scale your company, your mission might change. Ensure you have the right players to support the ever-evolving path of a startup. Regularly communicate and reinforce core values within your organization, and ensure that every team member embodies them in their day-to-day activities.

On Embracing Agile Decision-Making

• In the dynamic environment of a scaling startup, agility is key. The adage “hire slow, fire fast” rings true here. Acknowledge that not every team member will fit perfectly into every role, and be prepared to make the tough calls that will benefit the company’s overall trajectory.

“Don’t give out C-suite titles right away.”

Enrico Palmerino | CEO, Botkeeper

On Organizing Your Company Around Seats And People

• In the early stages of your startup, don’t give out C-suite titles right away. Focus on building a strong founding team comprising directors, VPs, and Senior VPs, willing to grow with the company. Establish a culture of continuous learning and encourage your hires to prove and earn C-suite titles.

On Hiring Rocks vs. Rockstars

• When it comes to securing a reliable and consistent workforce, prioritize the recruitment of “rocks” — people who can reliably handle day-to-day operations and provide the essential backbone for your organization. On the other hand, recognize the value of “rockstars,” who are capable of driving innovation and scaling your company to new heights.

“If you don’t know your story and you can’t share it over and over again, how will anyone connect to your company?”

Robbie Crabtree | Founder, Competitive Storytelling and Potential AI

On Crafting Your Story

• Many founders don’t know how to craft compelling stories and rather list the features that their products or technologies can do. If you don’t know your story and you can’t share it over and over again, how will anyone connect to your company? Leaders must be able to tell their origin story and paint their future growth to align and empower their team members, customers, and investors to believe in their vision.

“Position yourself as an outlier.”

Chris Fralic | Board Partner, First Round Capital

On Positioning Yourself As An Outlier

• Considering the inherent risks associated with early-stage ventures, investors aim to find an outlier that will bring them substantial returns. Always think of ways to position yourself as an outlier in the eyes of your investors and present them with a vision of a tenfold return. Embracing the outlier mindset entails articulating a compelling narrative of the “what if it goes right” scenario that the founder and team need to practice.

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