Mastering the Founder to CEO Leap with Katy Trost

The Angel with Michael Conniff

Get ready for another insightful episode of "The Angel with Michael Conniff". This time, we sit down with Katy Trost, an accomplished business coach, and advisor. Renowned across Europe and North America, Katie specializes in guiding tech founders and CEOs through the intricate stages of business development, particularly focusing on transitioning from startup to established enterprise.

In their discussion, Michael and Katie delve into the unique challenges founders face when transitioning to the role of a CEO, addressing how only a small fraction of founders manage to maintain their leadership roles up to the IPO stage.

Here's a peek at the insights from the chat, and five critical considerations for all you aspiring leaders:

1. The Shift from Founder to CEO: It's akin to scaling Everest without an oxygen tank - an intense, demanding process. Remember, you don't magically morph into a seasoned CEO overnight. So, if you're a founder, don't beat yourself up over the growing pains. You're evolving, and that's all part of the ride.

2. The Magic of 'Founder DNA': Katy shares some eye-opening stats – companies with founders at the helm often perform 4-5x better than their counterparts. It's as if there's a special kind of mojo that gives them an edge.

3. The CEO as a Maestro, Not a Superhero: Katy’s golden advice for new CEOs is to view themselves as conductors of an orchestra rather than superheroes who save the day. It’s about helping each team member to hit the right notes, not doing all the heavy lifting yourself.

4. The importance of a healthy organization: Building a resilient and healthy organization is critical to navigating the challenges of scaling. A CEO needs to create an environment that fosters collaboration, trust, and high performance.

5. From Founder to CEO Mentality: A Seven-Step Transition Plan: Katy gives us a tantalizing teaser about her comprehensive transition plan. This proven blueprint is designed to help founders smoothly sail through the often-stormy seas of becoming a CEO.

So, guys, don't miss this opportunity to pick up priceless insights from the stellar Katy Trost. Whether you're a founder, a wannabe CEO, or a startup enthusiast, you'll find her wisdom invaluable. And don't forget, Katy runs through her "From Founder to CEO Mentality: A Seven Step Transition Plan" in the episode. We guarantee you’ll want to hear all about it, so tune in