Growing a Unicorn Company and Lessons from Shopify's ex-Chief of Talent Officer

“Everyone's a teacher and a student at the same time. And so, yes, I could be a teacher, I could guide, I could lead, but I also [...] should be a student from the people on my team, from others. And there's a vulnerability and confidence that has to come with that notion. And that was a massive piece that unlocked leadership for me than going forward.”

- Brittany Forsyth

The Question

How to foster a culture of development?

Every startup and organization grapples with the question of growth, whether it involves products or people.

But here's the truth: scaling is an intricate dance of learning and adaptability that extends beyond a manager's guidance. It requires a deep understanding of your team and a constant pulse check on their needs and aspirations to create the right environments for development.

Our guest, Brittany Forsyth, has experienced this challenge firsthand. She was one of the masterminds behind Shopify's incredible journey from a humble 20-employee startup to a global powerhouse employing over 10,000 professionals.

Brittany imparts invaluable wisdom gained from firsthand experience, unveiling the secrets to successful scaling and the leadership lessons she's learned along the way.

Check out Brittany's Episode

Unicorn Leaders Podcast Feature

Brittany's story is a special one as she played a significant part in growing Shopify into the unicorn company it is today.

She's now the founder of Backbone Angels, where she continues to follow her passion of growth and development as an angel investor.

In this conversation, we dive into questions and topics like:

• The evolution of leadership styles and how management and leadership is not one and the same.
• Her story and experience working and growing with Shopify.
• The common leadership mistakes.

You won't want to miss this one. Catch the full video interview below.

(Or download the episode wherever you listen to your podcast and listen on the go!)

Episode Takeaways

• Build your Leadership Toolbox.?Building a kick-ass leadership toolbox isn't just about having the right tools; it's about knowing how to use them at the right moments. Noticing symptoms is an essential skill for every leader to diagnose greater issues. Your leadership toolbox can help you get there. One of Brittany's tools is mastering the art of influence of one-to-many. How can you rally the troops, paint a clear vision, and get everyone on board? It takes practice and finesse, but it's a game-changer. Your communication can become quickly misaligned if you keep playing small and only engaging with your team in your one-on-ones. In turn, expectations of development and growth quickly deteriorate too.
• Your culture is the mirror of your leadership style.?Leaders often hear the buzzword "culture," but what does it truly mean? It's the environment we create, how people show up, and the foundation for success. Leadership and culture go hand in hand. Shopify's executives walk the talk, and that's why their culture thrives. So, my challenge to you is this: Take a long, hard look in the mirror. Is your leadership style aligned with the culture you want to cultivate?
• Reframe feedback into confidence.?It's human nature to feel defensive when faced with criticism, especially during our growth journey. But feedback is a catalyst for growth. It's about truly listening, acknowledging areas for improvement, and saying thank you for the opportunity to grow. It's tough, no doubt. However, it will build confidence and resilience.?The more you engage in it, the more it will be common ground and a fundamental element of your culture of development for your team.

Enjoying this topic???I recommend checking out my blog post on career development conversations:

How to Help Your Managers Have Insightful Career Developments Conversations With Employees

Listen to the Unicorn Leaders Podcast below!?

Apple Podcasts?&?Spotify

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Sincerely,

The Unicorn Labs Team