In episode 16 of season 2, we sit down with Brian Gottlieb, author of Beyond the Hammer and a visionary business leader who scaled his home services company from a $3,000 startup to a $150 million enterprise. Brian shares his unique approach to leadership, focusing on hiring to your weaknesses and empowering others to fill the gaps where you fall short. He dives deep into how he built a culture of development, transforming his company into a training organization where employees are constantly learning and growing.

Brian also emphasizes the importance of problem-solving systems — creating scalable solutions that allow teams to work autonomously and solve issues without micromanagement. Through powerful examples from his own journey, Brian explains how leaders can build systems that enable sustainable growth and foster employee development.

Tune in to learn how Brian's leadership philosophy, rooted in empowering others and leading with purpose, can help you build a strong, high-performing culture in your organization.

You’ll find this episode valuable if you’re a leader looking to hire effectively, develop talent, and create scalable systems for long-term success!

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TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[02:45] Brian’s journey from a $3,000 startup to a $150 million company

[06:19] The importance of hiring to your weaknesses

[10:25] Brian’s epiphany about focusing on people development

[12:20] Transitioning a company to a training organization

[14:02] The Harvard Business School executive program

[19:01] Creating a manager training program to drive alignment and growth

[24:01] Using stay interviews to retain employees and gain feedback

[27:30] Aligning a business with clear mission and vision statements

[29:12] How daily huddles helped streamline communication and management

👉 Check out the resources mentioned here: https://fellow.app/supermanagers/brian-gottlieb

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Coffey, a seasoned CEO with over 21 years of experience leading private-equity-backed service companies. Adam shares his journey from his military career to becoming a leader in the private equity world, where he has overseen 58 acquisitions and facilitated billions of dollars in successful exits.

In episode 15 of season 2, Adam delves into the critical lessons he's learned about leadership, including the importance of building a strong culture and being transparent as a leader. He discusses the concept of the 'Happy Meal effect' in startups and how it applies to scaling companies effectively. Adam also emphasizes the need for leaders to adapt to different stages of growth and highlights the value of ongoing learning and self-improvement.

You’ll gain insights into navigating different growth stages, the importance of hiring and empowering great people, and the role of a CEO in inspiring and leading a team. Adam's practical advice on performance management and building a transparent culture offers actionable strategies for leaders looking to enhance their organizations.

You’ll find this episode valuable if you're looking to elevate your leadership skills,  build high-performing companies, and motivate your team.

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TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[00:46] Adam Coffey’s books

[04:56] Lessons from the military and General Electric (GE) on leadership and discipline

[06:52] Transitioning from CEO roles to consulting and teaching

[09:30] Defining the role of a CEO and the importance of company culture

[12:14] The 'Happy Meal effect' in startups and growth companies

[17:45] The importance of employee engagement and performance management

[28:38] Transparency in leadership and making tough decisions

[32:41] Building a strong company culture and engaging employees

👉 Check out the resources mentioned here: https://fellow.app/supermanagers/adam-coffey

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Amy Edmondson, one of the world’s leading management thinkers. As the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School, she is an expert in psychological safety and organizational learning. 

In episode 14 of season 2, she discusses the importance of creating environments where team members feel safe to speak up and how this psychological safety is essential for learning and innovation. She also explores the balance between psychological safety and accountability, emphasizing that these concepts are not in opposition but rather complementary in high-performing teams.

You’ll gain valuable insights into how to foster a culture of inquiry, the role of clear goals in team performance, and practical steps for turning around fearful organizations. Amy’s examples from companies like Pixar and Southwest Airlines offer concrete illustrations of how these principles can be applied in real-world settings.

You’ll find this episode valuable if  you're looking for actionable advice for leaders looking to enhance their team’s psychological safety, accountability, and overall performance.

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TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[02:13] Leadership mistakes and psychological safety

[05:26] The role of psychological safety in organizational learning

[08:58] Balancing psychological safety and accountability

[14:07] Characteristics of high-performing teams

[18:09] The impact of clear goals on team performance

[24:12] Turning around a fearful organization

[30:22] Lessons from Pixar and Southwest Airlines

[39:38] Tips for leaders on mastering the art of asking good questions

👉 Check out the resources mentioned here: https://fellow.app/supermanagers/amy-edmonson-harvard-business-school

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Onesto, a visionary business leader and the founder of KAE.ai, an innovative AI-based HR platform. Anthony shares his extensive experience in empowering startups and tech companies to unlock their full growth potential. As the Chief People Officer at Suzy, a leading market research software company, and the author of "The New Employee Contract," Anthony provides a wealth of knowledge on leadership, delegation, and the evolving workplace.

Anthony addresses the unique characteristics and expectations of the Gen Z workforce, emphasizing their need for stability and proactive approaches to social issues. He also discusses the transformative impact of AI on business practices, highlighting how tools like ChatGPT are revolutionizing communication and efficiency.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into effective team management, the importance of understanding personal strengths, and the balance of autonomy and trust in leadership. Anthony's approach to meetings and his AI-first philosophy offer practical strategies for enhancing organizational productivity.

This episode will be valuable to you if you're looking to revolutionize your approach to leadership, delegation, managing Gen Z employees, and leveraging AI in the workplace!

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TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[03:28] Leadership mistakes and autonomy

[05:13] Importance of understanding personal strengths in delegation

[06:14] The role of brain awareness training in leadership

[09:02] Levels of autonomy and their application in team management

[14:34] Characteristics and expectations of Gen Z employees

[17:24] Gen Z's need for stability and their proactive approach to social issues

[24:39] Importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in attracting Gen Z talent

[30:22] The impact of AI on communication and efficiency in HR practices

[34:28] Are all your meetings necessary?

👉 Check out the resources mentioned here: https://fellow.app/supermanagers/anthony-onesto-suzy

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn

Read Anthony’s book “The New Employee Contract”

Read Radical Candor by Kim Scott

Join the Supermanagers Slack community

Connect with Aydin on LinkedIn

Follow Fellow on LinkedIn

In this episode, Eytan Bensoussan, CEO and co-founder of NorthOne, a business banking platform for small businesses, shares his experiences. He has had a diverse career path, including time at McKinsey & Company to co-founding NorthOne. 

In episode 12 of season 2, he delves into the importance of understanding team motivations, effective hiring practices, and the intricacies of decision making. He provides an in-depth look at his use of issue trees for breaking down complex decisions and emphasizes the significance of gut instincts in leadership. 

Eytan also discusses his approach to feedback and performance management, highlighting the balance between frequency and effectiveness. Eytan's insights into building resiliency and maintaining mental health offer valuable strategies for leaders facing the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Tune in to learn from Eytan's experiences and receive actionable advice on transforming feedback culture, empowering team members, and building strong leadership systems. 

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TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[05:11] Navigating employee expectations

[10:22] Issue trees and their importance in decision making

[16:17] Using an external network for decision validation

[21:09] Adjusting feedback methods based on seniority

[25:55] Monthly feedback sessions and synthesizing input

[30:47] Team meetings and daily stand-ups

[34:59] Strategic resets and adapting roadmaps

[41:16] Building confidence through past experiences

👉 Check out the resources mentioned here: https://fellow.app/supermanagers/eytan-bensoussan-northone

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, our host Aydin Mirzaee sits down with Matt Verlaque, COO of SaaS Academy and co-founder of High Speed Ventures. Matt’s unique career journey spans over a decade in firefighting and emergency services before venturing into technology and entrepreneurship. He shares how his experiences have shaped his approach to leadership and management, emphasizing the importance of servant leadership and continuous improvement.

In episode 11 of season 2, Matt delves into the critical aspects of building cohesive teams and the significance of investing in people over tasks. He discusses the evolution of team dynamics and the necessity for adapting systems as companies grow. Matt provides actionable insights on conducting effective one-on-one meetings, giving and receiving feedback, and maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life.

Matt also introduces the concept of building unbreakable businesses and the common pitfalls founders face, particularly around pricing and self-worth. He shares his strategies for creating robust operational systems that scale with the company and highlights the importance of having a structured approach to quarterly planning and goal setting.

Tune in to explore Matt’s techniques and insights that have contributed to the success of multiple startups and his current role at SaaS Academy. 

This episode offers a wealth of actionable advice for leaders looking to enhance their management practices, build strong team cultures, and lead with intention and impact.

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. . .

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[01:53] Leadership differences in firefighting and tech

[07:48] Navigating seniority, advocacy, and building rapport

[11:51] Common mistakes CEOs and founders make

[18:46] Establishing team structure and communication as the team grows

[20:25] Balancing transparency and effective communication

[27:11] Quarterly planning and goal setting

[34:33] Efficiently setting goals and priorities in meetings

[38:01] SaaS Academy’s upcoming book "Software as a Science"

[40:46] Leaders should bring out greatness in others

👉 Check out the resources mentioned here: https://fellow.app/supermanagers/matt-verlaque-saas-academy

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

In this engaging episode, we sit down with Mark Macleod, a seasoned CFO, VC, and angel investor whose career has significantly impacted high-growth technology companies. Mark takes us through his extensive experience, from his roles at FreshBooks and Real Ventures to founding SurePath Capital Partners. He shares invaluable lessons on the evolution of the CEO role, emphasizing the critical aspects of communication, team building, and financial management.

In episode 10 of season 2, Mark explores the importance of maintaining boundaries and preventing burnout, offering practical advice on time management and self-care. He introduces the concept of the 24-hour rule for decision-making and discusses the necessity for CEOs to shift from working in the business to working on the business. Mark's insights on creating optionality for startups and navigating uncertain times provide listeners with robust strategies to enhance their leadership skills.

As a coach to high-growth company CEOs, Mark brings a unique perspective on balancing professional demands with personal well-being. He highlights the importance of being authentic and designing roles that align with your strengths and passions. Mark's ability to distill complex ideas into actionable advice makes this episode a must-listen for anyone aiming to excel in leadership positions.

This episode is filled with practical tips on preventing burnout, managing time effectively, and building high-performing teams. Tune in to gain Mark's wisdom on leading with intention and navigating the challenges of high-growth environments.

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. . .

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[04:31] Career experiences and leadership, mistakes

[07:55] The Importance of pausing and avoiding panic

[11:45] The CEO's role in communication, vision, and values

[14:18] Burnout and time management as a leader

[21:58] Calendar audits = key to avoiding burnout.

[23:53] Design your role for personal happiness

[29:30] The roles and focus areas of a CEO

[34:23] Dealing with uncertainty and layoffs

[39:42] Be your authentic self to avoid burnout

👉 Check out the resources mentioned here: https://fellow.app/supermanagers/mark-macleod-startup-ceo-coach

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Jessica Zwaan, COO of Talentful, whose impressive career journey spans roles in HR and operations across leading tech and SaaS companies. Jessica shares her transition from HR to the COO role, discussing the significant learnings and challenges faced along the way. She delves into the importance of commercial acumen within HR, the necessity of being outcome-driven, and how curiosity can shape effective leadership.

In episode 9 of season 2, Jessica provides an in-depth look at how she structures meetings to ensure transparency and accountability, including her unique approach to the weekly business review meetings. She emphasizes the need for HR to adopt a more product-oriented mindset and shares practical examples from her experience at Whereby, where innovative solutions to operational challenges significantly improved organizational efficiency.

As a hands-on Chief Operating Officer with a background scaling technology, e-commerce, and SaaS businesses, Jessica brings a wealth of experience to her roles. She is a regular panelist and speaker at local and international events, sharing her insights on business operations, culture influence, and how she thinks about companies as commercial products.

This episode is packed with actionable advice on transforming HR functions, fostering a culture of curiosity, and building strong leadership teams. 

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. . .

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[04:30] Making the transition from HR to COO 

[07:12] Purposeful career moves 

[12:00] Challenges in HR roles 

[17:57] The impact of organizational structures on HR functions

[22:30] The importance of open transparency and peer accountability in meetings

[27:27] Building workforce autonomy and reducing parental culture

[33:30] Incentivizing employees and practical solutions to business problems

[38:21] Being “mostly right” as a leader

👉 Check out the resources mentioned here: https://fellow.app/supermanagers/jessica-zwaan-talentful 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

In this special C-Suite Roundtable episode of Supermanagers, host Aydin Mirzaee brings together 4 top executives from diverse industries to tackle one of the biggest challenges in modern workplaces: meeting efficiency. This episode features Michael Koenig, CEO at Tucows, Rebecca Kacaba, CEO at DealMaker, Jeffrey Sullivan, CTO at Consensus, and Matthew O’Riordan, CEO at Ably.

Michael shares his innovative meeting approach at Tucows, a company spanning domain names, fiber internet, and telecom SaaS. He discusses the importance of flexible meeting policies and how implementing structured meeting frameworks like EOS Level 10 meetings can transform organizational productivity.

Rebecca delves into DealMaker's mission to revolutionize capital raising. She emphasizes the shift towards asynchronous communication and the critical role of effective tooling in managing meetings and team collaboration.

Jeffrey talks about the complexities of managing global teams and how the transition to remote work has necessitated a more intentional approach to meetings and asynchronous workflows. He highlights the creation of a living document that codifies Consensus’ remote work practices and meeting policies.

Matthew shares Ably's journey from an office-based to a remote-first organization, focusing on the challenges of meeting inefficiencies. He explains how implementing consistent tools and structured processes has been transformational, allowing for quicker decision-making and more effective collaboration across global teams.

Tune in to episode 8 of season 2 to explore these leaders' insights and strategies on optimizing meetings, fostering asynchronous communication, and enhancing productivity in remote and hybrid teams. This episode offers a wealth of actionable advice for leaders looking to improve their organization's meeting culture and overall efficiency.

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. . .

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[05:06] Guest introductions

[09:39] Guests share their biggest meeting pet peeves

[12:44] How meeting policies at Tucows evolved

[14:47] The transition to remote work

[17:05] Asynchronous communication

[24:18] Practical strategies for improving meetings.

[28:18] Creating meeting policies is collaborative 

[35:30] Meeting templates and structures.

[43:04] The benefits and challenges of maintaining meeting policies

👉 Check out the resources mentioned here: https://fellow.app/supermanagers/csuite-roundtable-reducing-meeting-bloat

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Ken’s role as COO at Hostaway, a SaaS startup transforming the vacation rental industry, showcases his innovative approach to remote work and leadership. In discussion with host Aydin Mirzaee, Ken delves into the diverse experiences that have shaped his career, including pivotal positions at Hotjar and his unique journey as a digital nomad. His transition from traditional corporate environments to leading fully remote teams illustrates his commitment to transparency, deliberate decision-making, and culture-driven hiring.

A cornerstone of Ken’s leadership philosophy is fostering an environment where communication and transparency are prioritized. He highlights Hostaway’s structured use of tools like Slack, emphasizing the importance of clear guidelines for synchronous and asynchronous communication. Ken also touches on the significance of building purposeful remote work rituals and the strategic benefits of hiring for culture add rather than culture fit.

In episode 7 of season 2, Ken emphasizes the importance of effective team management through deliberate processes. His insights into remote work dynamics, cultural values, and global team distribution provide listeners with valuable strategies to implement in their own organizations.

Tune in to explore Ken’s techniques and insights that have contributed to Hostaway’s success as a fast-growing, fully remote company with a team located across 40+ countries.

This episode offers a wealth of actionable advice for leaders looking to enhance remote work practices, build strong team cultures, and lead with intention and impact.

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. . .

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[03:58] Ken’s journey as a digital nomad

[07:12] Scaling success as former COO of Hotjar

[08:20] Balancing family life and remote work while traveling

[11:17] Remote vs. hybrid, and in-office work

[15:40] Hostaway’s approach to distributed teams and hiring across 40+ countries

[19:57] Synchronous vs. asynchronous communication

[24:30] Why transparency matters in operations

[32:21] Importance of culture add over culture fit

👉 Check out the resources mentioned here: https://fellow.app/supermanagers/ken-weary-hostaway

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: