What I learned as a VC filling in as a startup CEO for 4 months
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Re: What I learned as a VC filling in as a startup CEO for 4 months
#2"The company has 100+ employees, hundreds of customers, and more than 15,000 end users. I spent almost four months as CEO. Prior to this role, my “operating experience” consisted of working as a waitress during college. My entire professional career has been in finance, where I have worked in small, flat organizations with a project-driven, deal team-oriented model. In short, I had no idea what to expect, and I learned a lot, quickly."
Why on earth was this person in any way shape or form the person to step in?
Once of the C-level people should have, or someone in the VC's network.
"In the CEO role it quickly becomes obvious that empathy and compassion are far more valuable than financial acumen. "
Yes, but understanding the product, customers, operational details, and knowing where to direct the system is probably more important than 'empathy and compassion'.
"It’s easier to be a board member than a CEO"
Who doesn't already know this?
My crusty comments aside, it's a good read.
Re: What I learned as a VC filling in as a startup CEO for 4 months
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Re: What I learned as a VC filling in as a startup CEO for 4 months
#4[deleted]
Re: What I learned as a VC filling in as a startup CEO for 4 months
#5This is the strangest thing I've read today.
At so many levels.
Really really weird.
I wonder if the author's LinkedIn now says "Acting CEO" at company blah, thereby qualifying them for some full CEO role somewhere as a next career step.
Re: What I learned as a VC filling in as a startup CEO for 4 months
#6sooooo many questions..
Re: What I learned as a VC filling in as a startup CEO for 4 months
#7It’s easier to be a board member than a CEO.
Shouldn't this be obvious?
A board member sleeps, has no or little personal skin in the game and is hedged across multiple ventures.
The CEO rarely sleeps (or has more responsibilities than time permits addressed), is "all in" and rarely substantially hedged, especially in early-stage startups.
Re: What I learned as a VC filling in as a startup CEO for 4 months
#8This could almost pass for satire.
Re: What I learned as a VC filling in as a startup CEO for 4 months
#9> Prior to this role, my “operating experience” consisted of working as a waitress during college.
I found this line astounding and not in good ways.
When a new senior person is announced (even interim), the first thing most people do is ask "what has this person done?" and they scour LinkedIn, writing, social media, etc to understand what they're about and their background.
I'm trying to imagine senior leadership's reaction on the initial news and during that 4 months. Even if the interim CEO busted her butt, just about the time she has an understanding in the company, team, etc, she was on the way out.
Re: What I learned as a VC filling in as a startup CEO for 4 months
#10> Prior to this role, my “operating experience” consisted of working as a waitress during college. I found this line astounding and not in good ways. When a new senior person is announced (even interim), the first thing most people do is ask "what has this person done?" and they scour LinkedIn, writing, social media, etc to understand what they're about and their background. I'm trying to imagine senior leadership's…
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