Startupnationfeed

One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter when coaching leaders is the belief that they must choose between being nice and being tough. In reality, the best leaders are neither soft nor harsh. They’re clear.

Growing up on a Montana farm, leading during the Gulf War, and later running my own business taught me that accountability and respect are not competing priori...

Over more than 30 years running companies in Silicon Valley, I’ve seen countless situations where leaders waited too long to address poor performance. In my experience, leaders are far more likely to act too slowly than too quickly. There are three primary reasons why.

Inspections can create anxiety for entrepreneurs, prompting late-night searches for receipts before tax audits and rushed site assessments before regulatory visits. For a growing startup, the scope is far wider, encompassing everything from workplace safety and HR compliance to environmental regulations.

The best way to navigate this landscape is to build a culture of...

A startup office does not need polished concrete floors, nap pods or a rooftop espresso bar to feel inspiring. Some of the strongest workplace cultures begin in cramped rented offices, shared coworking spaces or converted back rooms with mismatched chairs and a tiny budget. What matters most is how people feel when they walk in.

Do they feel supported, safe, trusted an...

There’s always a degree of uncertainty when building or growing a business. Markets move, customers change their preferences, and even well-thought-out plans need to adapt along the way. As a result, founders and growing teams often have to make important decisions without having the full picture. But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Uncertainty can sharpen your focus, spe...