What's your secret sauce for building a great team?
The successful teams I’ve built take on a mission mission, not take a job. I want people who then can buy into the vision, take ownership of the venture, and run.
What can we do to create a great workplace for our colleagues?
Every person is on a journey in their life, and their work is but a part of it. I look to add value to their professional experiences with my team, not just in money, but in knowledge and support.
What shift in mindset has allowed you to see things differently?
Humility. While I like to think of myself as smart and quick witted, recognizing the fallacy in that attitude freed me to be open to learning from the knowledge and experiences of others, and to incorporate those lessons into my journey.
What's a question you like asking — yourself or your colleagues?
"How did you do that?" There’s immense value in listening and learning from the experience of others, thus why I like this question.
What podcast do you listen to?
The Hidden Brain. Great perspectives on a variety of human-centric topics.https://hiddenbrain.org
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Here’s More, From Other Founders Around the World
What should leaders understand about their own role and responsibility?
Your own time and energy is the most precious resource you have. Use it wisely, and learn what gives you energy, and what saps you. In the early years of building something, you need to throw a huge amount of time at it - and do many things you perhaps don’t like doing. But as you scale, it’s vital to take a step back and build a business that can grow rapidly beyond the time you put into it.
What shift in perspective has allowed you to see things differently?
It may sound simple, but realizing and truly understanding that we are all different and driven by different things has made a significant impact on me. This insight has changed the way I approach relationships and leadership.
What’s a guiding principle that informs the way you build and run your business?
One of our core values at Cozero is radical candor. It is the idea that the willingness to repeatedly enter uncomfortable situations to speak the truth benefits everyone in the long run. We believe that in order to grow and improve as an organization, we need to create an environment where our team is not afraid to challenge processes and decisions. Making this a core value guides us in difficult situations when it’s not clear which road to take.
What's a mistake that you're happy you've made?
I'm happy I chose a highly regulated market, even though it was tough. It taught me a lot about patience, attention to detail, and the importance of doing things right. These lessons have made me better at what I do.