Our own worst enemies We all want to be great leaders. We read the top 10 books, watch the TED talks, and try to follow in the footsteps of those who’ve made it big. But...

No one likes annual performance reviews. Not the employee, not the manager, not the company. So why do so many companies still suffer the brain damage? Because, like so many things in business, “it’s the...

A-players don’t just “quit.” As a founder in the trenches for 20+ years, I’ve seen my fair share of A-players come and go. Most assume that star employees leave because of compensation or career advancement...

Time doesn’t heal all wounds. I’ll be the first to admit I used to hate conflict. I’d avoid it at all costs, hoping tensions would just magically dissolve on their own. As a young manager,...

You are what you schedule. As a leader, your time is your most valuable asset. So, the difference between good and great leadership is how you use your time. That makes your calendar one of...

The power of the all-hands meeting Most leaders think of the all-hands meeting as a necessary evil. A formality to check the culture box. Something to get through as quickly as possible to get back...

Raising money is like walking through a minefield. As a founder and CEO for nearly 20 years, I’ve raised hundreds of millions from startup investors. I’ve heard it all—the good, the bad, and the downright...

Management Habits Spread Fast Most people are terrible managers when they first start. And I was, too! So, if you’re not careful, your poor management habits will start to spread across the company. Eventually, you’ll...

Startups are hard. Really hard. As a founder and investor in 20+ companies, I’ve seen my fair share of successes and failures. But here’s the thing—the reason startups fail is not what you think. Sure,...

Stop dreading your one-on-one (1×1) meetings.  The word “meeting” makes most people’s skin crawl. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of terrible meetings after leading teams for 20 years.  And research backs this up,...

The #1 predictor of success is resilience. Not market, product, or funding. The team’s resilience matters most – their ability to overcome challenges and come out stronger on the other side. In other words, how...

Raising Money is a Game Raising funding for startups is really f’n hard. But it’s a game, and one that can be mastered. Since most businesses require some outside investment, as a founder or CEO,...