Maximizing Your Influence: Expand your Impact Globally, Case Study of 3 Founders

Introduction: A client who is a startup founder experienced the exhilaration of building something from scratch and bringing it to market. However, as his company grew, he felt he has hit a ceiling in terms of his ability to lead it to the next level.

I asked him not to stay limited in his impact. Here are 3 options any business or startup founder can consider for creating their next level of global impact.

You have three options: coaching existing corporate CEOs, becoming a corporate CEO yourself, or taking on the role of a more professional internal CEO.

In this article, we'll explore each of these options and how they can help you unleash your entrepreneurial edge.

Option 1: Coaching Existing Corporate CEOs

One way to leverage your experience and knowledge as a startup founder is to coach existing corporate CEOs. By coaching them, you can help them unlock their creativity, identify new growth opportunities, and make decisions that align with their companies' values and goals.

Real-Life Examples: Reid Hoffman and his Mentees

Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, is known for being a mentor to several CEOs, including Airbnb's Brian Chesky and Microsoft's Satya Nadella. He brings his entrepreneurial experience and insights to the table, helping these CEOs navigate challenges and seize new opportunities.

For instance, Hoffman was instrumental in helping Chesky

transform Airbnb from a simple platform for renting air mattresses to a global hospitality giant that caters to millions of people around the world. Hoffman's guidance helped Chesky navigate regulatory issues, develop new revenue streams, and expand into new markets.

Similarly, Hoffman also played a key role in helping Nadella transform Microsoft from a traditional software company to a cloud-first, mobile-first company. Nadella took over as CEO of Microsoft in 2014, and he worked closely with Hoffman to develop a new vision and strategy for the company.

Today, Microsoft is one of the most valuable companies in the world, and it continues to be a leader in the tech industry.

The Benefits of Coaching Corporate CEOs

By coaching corporate CEOs, you can leverage your entrepreneurial skills and experience to help established companies innovate and stay competitive in the ever-changing business landscape. You can help these CEOs develop a growth mindset and a culture of experimentation, which can help them unlock new opportunities and drive sustainable growth.

Option 2: Becoming a Corporate CEO Yourself

As a founder, you have a unique perspective on what it takes to build and grow a company. This experience can make you a valuable asset to established companies that want to inject more innovation and agility into their operations.

Making the Leap from Founder to Corporate CEO

If you choose to become a corporate CEO, you will need to adjust to a new set of responsibilities and challenges. You will need to navigate complex organizational structures, manage diverse teams and make strategic decisions that have a significant impact on the company's future.

Real-Life Examples: Jack Dorsey and Twitter

Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, took over as CEO of the company in 2015, after serving as interim CEO. He brought his entrepreneurial spirit and vision to the company, transforming Twitter into a more innovative and forward-thinking platform. Under Dorsey's leadership, Twitter has expanded its product offerings, launched new advertising formats and introduced new features that have helped the company stay relevant and competitive.

How to Succeed as a Corporate CEO

To succeed as a corporate CEO, you need to be adaptable, strategic and focused on driving growth and innovation. You need to build a strong team and a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and continuous learning. You also need to be willing to take calculated risks and make tough decisions that align with the company's goals and values.

Option 3: Hiring a CEO and Taking on the Role of Internal CEO or CEO Mentor

As a founder, you may have been doing many things on your own or with your team, but as your company grows, you'll need to shift your focus to leading and scaling the company. By taking on the role of an internal CEO or Internal Mentor, you can build a more professional and efficient organization, leading your team to success.

Why You Should Consider Becoming an Internal CEO or Internal Mentor to a new CEO

By becoming an internal CEO yourself or mentoring your new CEO, you can leverage your entrepreneurial skills and experience to build a more sustainable and scalable company. You can set the vision, values, and strategy for the company, develop a high-performance culture, and lead your team to achieve their full potential.

Real-Life Examples: Sara Blakely and Spanx

Sara Blakely founded Spanx in 2000 and quickly grew the company into a multimillion-dollar business. As Spanx continued to expand, Blakely realized that she needed to step back from day-to-day operations and focus on strategic planning and company culture. In 2013, she hired Laurie Ann Goldman, a former CEO of the cosmetics company Au Naturale, to take over as CEO.

Blakely and Goldman worked closely together to ensure a smooth transition. Blakely remained involved in the company's product development, marketing, and culture, while Goldman focused on day-to-day operations and expanding Spanx's product lines. Under Goldman's leadership, Spanx continued to grow, launching new products and expanding into international markets.

Blakely's decision to step back and bring in a professional CEO allowed her to focus on her strengths as a founder while ensuring that the company continued to grow and succeed. By taking on the role of an internal CEO, she was able to lead her team to success while still playing an active role in the company's direction.

Conclusion: There are many paths that a startup founder can take to leverage their entrepreneurial skills and have a greater impact.

Whether you choose to coach existing corporate CEOs, become a corporate CEO yourself, or take on the role of an internal CEO, you can unleash your entrepreneurial edge and lead your company to success.

By learning from real-life examples like Reid Hoffman, Jack Dorsey, and Sara Blakely, you can better understand how to succeed in these different roles and create a more impactful future for yourself and the companies you work with.

About the Author - Hi, I'm Divya Shlokam, CEO of https://www.shlokus.com/ a growth opportunities platform that helps individuals and businesses thrive in today's challenging global economy. As a growth coach and mentor, I've worked with top industry leaders and founders to unlock their potential and achieve personal, professional, and business growth. With my unique mentoring program "My Growth," I offer handholding to help individuals grow in their personal, professional, and business environments. Join me and my thriving growth community to start your journey to success today! I can be reached at [email protected]