The Inquisitive Leader: Issue #4
Mark MacLeod
The Startup CEO Coach | I help startup CEOs grow all the way to a massive exit | Host of The Startup CEO Show podcast
Welcome to the fourth edition of The Inquisitive Leader newsletter. A publication intended for the CEOs of VC and PE-funded companies and the investors who back them.
In my role as CEO coach, I ask lots of questions. So, let me answer two questions for you:
Q: Why is this targeted at the leaders of institutionally funded companies?
A: Because once you take on capital you are committing to a big outcome. The biggest outcomes are often founder-led. The focus of my practice is on helping CEOs grow faster than their companies in order to deliver big outcomes.
Q: Why is this called 'The Inquisitive Leader'?
A: I believe that powerful insights come from asking ourselves tough questions. In each post below, I end by leaving you with questions to ask yourself.
Enjoy!
The CEO Growth Roadmap
If you are running a high-growth business, then the CEO you are today won't be enough to deliver next year's results. Here is an exercise to help you set a personal growth roadmap.
The zen of missing targets
It can be hard to predict the performance of your business at the best of times. Even more difficult in the current environment. Here are some thoughts on how to come to terms with this and what to focus on instead of some arbitrary budget number.
Hiring the best vs. hiring the familiar
It is generally a great sign when people from your last startup follow you to your next. But, it is not a given that those same people are the best possible fit for your new company.
Are you the smartest person in the room?
A key responsibility for the CEO is to build the strongest senior leadership team possible. You won't do that if you need to be the smartest person in the room.
Do your leaders know how to work with you?
Your senior leaders are there to give you leverage so you can maximize your impact as CEO. Help them best understand how to work with you for maximum collective impact.
No one is indispensable
Are you tolerating good (vs. great) or worse leaders because they feel they can’t remove them? If so, remember no one is indispensable. You can and must replace them.
About Mark MacLeod
In my 3rd decade in startup land, I coach CEOs, train CFOs and advise high growth technology companies.
Top 50 Women Leaders in Healthcare Technology || 2024 Top Marketer || COO Vetster || Founder The Goods || Volunteer RiseHelps.ca || An Unlikely Terranaut
4 年Was that ?? from the stage at MaRS Discovery District?