Seriously, I can’t hammer this one home enough. Just. Fucking. Take. The. Call.
Category: BigCos
The Tie Goes To The Runner
In startup land, we like to tell ourselves a bedtime story that it’s all a meritocracy and we’re strictly about finding the best people. Hacker News is filled with comments like “who cares what race or gender they are; just pick the best people.” If only it were that easy, my little brogrammer.
Understand Your Customer’s Business As Well As They Do
As CEOs and product owners, we are effectively outsourced team members, contract force accelerators. Yet more often than not, we act like clueless employees, sleepwalking through the day, hoping that our actions align with our employer’s goals or, at worst, praying we don’t fuck up enough to be noticed.
CORONA: Take Care Of You (Step #5)
Here’s a simple rule to follow: If an airline pilot wouldn’t do it the night before a long-haul flight, don’t do it as a founder. No getting drunk, no staying up until 3 am, no crappy midnight snacks. As a favorite children’s book once put it, just go the fuck to sleep.
CORONA: Focus On Customers (Step #4)
CEOs often forget that their company exists solely to solve the problems of their customers. And while “focus on customers,” isn’t a step only to be taken during an apocalypse, it has outsized importance when everything around us is changing.
CORONA: Reach Out (Step #3)
This is the time to surround yourself with a support network. You need people to act as sounding boards, to answer questions, and to solve problems. You need people to connect with and keep you grounded.