TICE | Startup India’s Post

Scaling up isn't just about growth, it’s a journey of transformation and leadership. Navigating the transition from startup founder to CEO during the scaling phase is a challenging yet crucial journey. Often thrust into leadership by the success of their product or service, founders face a profound shift in responsibilities and expectations. Successful scaling requires visionary leadership and effective communication to align everyone with the company's evolving mission and objectives. #Startups #ScalingUp #Leadership

The Great Leadership Shift: Why Are Founders and CEOs Leaving Startups in 2024? Did you know one of the recurring trends in India’s vibrant startup ecosystem is the exit of founders and CEOs? While we celebrate unicorn creations, ESOP buybacks, and disruptive innovations, why do so many leaders choose to step away from their ventures? Is it because they’re seeking new opportunities or taking well-deserved sabbaticals? Or are acquisitions and mergers playing a bigger role in these transitions? This year, we’ve seen exits triggered by sectoral challenges and operational setbacks, but we’ve also witnessed an inspiring shift—many founders are returning as second-time entrepreneurs. Could this reflect a maturing startup ecosystem where experience leads to reinvention? What do you think drives these leadership transitions? Are these exits signs of trouble or growth? Share your thoughts in the comments! 💬

🌟 Shout out to all founders and co-founders! 🌟 True leadership isn't just about having a degree, it's about gaining experience through hard work, handling people, closing deals, discerning right from wrong, and persevering through both victories and defeats. Today, many newcomers seem to overlook these fundamentals and merely seek higher positions after earning their degrees. However, true leadership isn't about showcasing one's status; it's about guiding teams in line with the needs of the product, process, or company. This trend poses a serious risk to new startups, potentially leading to their downfall. It's crucial to carefully consider before hiring such individuals or entrusting them with leadership roles. In reality, 90% of such cases lead to adverse situations, but the remaining 10% are fortunate enough to secure good resources and successfully steer their startups. Moral: Hire right resource for the Task, not for the Position. #startups #LinkedIn #business #funding #founders #leadership #startuplife #entrepreneurship #teamleadership #businessmanagement #supportstartups

Happy to share that our article on "Founder Mode or Manager Mode: A delicate balance for Startups" is now available in popular press. We discuss the recent work by Paul Graham of Y Combinator titled “Founder Mode” which contrasts the two approaches of business leadership (founders and managers). We posit that the key to long term business growth is not in choosing one approach over the other but in finding a delicate balance between passion and process. Long-term success lies in not choosing to stick to passion or process but learning to integrate. Link: https://lnkd.in/g9HRY9iE

Boardrooms are buzzing with ‘founder vs manager’ style of leadership that Paul Graham co-founder of Y Combinator mooted in his blog (https://lnkd.in/gXHGDdsS) India Inc is a different case study altogether. Most of the firms are promoter driven , even within generations -handing over the reins is difficult. Worse , many of the next Gen don’t even want to be part of the family business. Dependency on professional managers has increased to take it to the next stage. Then there are startup founders struggling to meet demands of their #VCs. In this tug of war , can one exclusive mode of leadership work? I mean , whose company is it after all ? I write in LiveMint #founder #manager #startup #VCs #employees #foundervsmanager 🔗 https://t.co/I78MCTfqoQ

The Power of Fractional Leadership In today's fast-paced business environment, organizations often find themselves in need of top-tier expertise without the overhead of full-time leadership roles. This is where fractional leadership comes in—a flexible, cost-effective solution that brings seasoned professionals into your team to tackle specific challenges or drive strategic initiatives. Fractional leaders bring a wealth of experience, offering fresh perspectives and actionable strategies. Whether it’s revitalizing your marketing efforts, refining operational processes, or scaling your business, they bridge gaps without the long-term commitment of a full-time hire. The beauty of fractional leadership lies in its scalability—businesses can access high-caliber talent tailored to their immediate needs, ensuring they stay agile and competitive in a dynamic market. Think of it as having a captain to steer the ship during critical moments, charting the course for sustainable growth. Would your business benefit from a fractional expert? Let’s discuss how this approach can elevate your strategies! #Leadership #FractionalLeadership #BusinessGrowth

Effort Isn’t Good Enough. Especially in startups and small businesses, effort is NOT good enough. You must work tirelessly to hire and surround yourself with the highest, most exceptional level of talent. That is the only way you will be able to get the GTM strategy correct and EXECUTE correctly. And eventually trust and delegate to your revenue leaders for long term growth and sustainability. Pro tip- Trying hard isn’t going to guarantee results. But finding and partnering with the best will give you the highest likelihood of doing so. Sagar Patel YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gJDVhQqx Instagram: @oceancalm01 www.oceancalm.co #OceanCalm #Startups #GTMStrategy #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #TalentAcquisition #HighPerformanceTeams #Sustainability #RevenueGrowth #ExecutionExcellence #GrowthMindset #TeamSuccess

Startups don’t fail because of a lack of ideas; they fail when people and culture aren’t priorities. Simon Sinek’s 'Leaders Eat Last' is a great reminder that success starts with trust, safety, and collaboration. In the fast-paced world of startups and scale-ups, it’s easy to focus on results and forget the people driving them. One of the book’s key ideas, the 'Circle of Safety,' really stands out: when leaders create an environment where people feel valued and secure, teams perform better, take risks, and innovate. Without that foundation, fear and mistrust can hold everything back. For startups, this raises some important questions: 👉 Are you building a culture where your team feels safe to share ideas and take risks? 👉 Do your people trust you - and each other - to have their backs? As leaders, our job isn’t just to deliver results; it’s to serve the people who make those results possible. If you’re scaling a business, think about this: Are you creating a space where people want to do their best work? #Leadership #StartupCulture #ScaleUps #SimonSinek

✨Senior Management Choosing Startups Over CXO Roles: The Rise of a New Entrepreneurial Generation💫 More senior leaders are leaving the corporate ladder behind to launch their own startups instead of waiting for a CXO role. What’s driving this shift? 🔹 Greater Impact: Leaders want the autonomy to shape culture and drive change, something limited in larger organizations. 🔹 Immediate Leadership Opportunities: Frustration with slow progression leads many to seek faster ways to innovate and lead. 🔹 Building from Scratch: Startups allow leaders to bring their vision to life like products, culture, and strategy. 🔹 Risk & Innovation: Experience gives them the confidence to take risks and adapt quickly, key in the startup world. 🔹 Flexibility: Startup ownership offers control over time and work-life balance. Is this shift reflecting the rise of a new generation of corporate entrepreneurs. Will this trend continue to grow? #Entrepreneurship #StartupCulture #Leadership #CXO #CareerGrowth #BusinessInnovation #SeniorLeadership #Startups #CorporateTransition #TechInnovation

Interesting post from my colleague Robert C. Satterwhite, PhD, examining the role that PE investors play in helping founders grow and mature their companies. From an Australian regional perspective, the position of the PE investor, described by Rob, may be one that the local VC community might want to take. #scaleupcollective #leadership #executivecoaching #executivesearch #HR #startup #scaleup #founder