Corey Hollenbeck’s Post

Here is how startups can transform the growing trend of fractional executives into cohesive, high-performing leadership teams or “teamship.” https://trib.al/kCAmQng

The Path to Startup Success: Empathetic Leadership and a Collaborative Culture In the dynamic and fast-paced world of startups, the keys to long-term success often come down to the quality of a company's leadership and the strength of its organizational culture. The most successful founders aren’t just visionaries. They’re empathetic leaders who know how to listen, respond, and empower. They create environments where employees feel trusted, supported, and encouraged to take smart risks. As Simon Sinek says: “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” When leaders prioritize people, not just performance, something powerful happens: → Teams speak up instead of staying silent → Ideas flow across departments, not just within silos → Ownership replaces obligation Research from Great Place to Work confirms it: companies with highly collaborative cultures outperform in engagement, productivity, and retention. Bottom line: Empathy fuels loyalty. Collaboration fuels innovation. Together, they form a startup’s greatest long-term advantage. In a fast-paced, high-pressure landscape, the founders who win won’t just build products, they’ll build cultures where people thrive together. So the real question is: Are you building a company, or are you building a culture? #LeadershipDevelopment #StartupGrowth #TeamPerformance Elevate your leadership, Transform your life

While checking my LinkedIn analytics, I noticed something interesting: ✨ My content is reaching two very different groups: • 42.9% from large corporations (10,000+ employees) • 28.6% from startups and small businesses (1–10 employees) And when it comes to seniority: • 25% are Directors & Managers (decision makers) • 25% are Seniors • 25% are in training or starting their journey 💡 What does this mean? It means I’m speaking to both sides of the spectrum: • Leaders shaping strategies at the top • Young professionals building skills and looking for growth 👉 My goal is to keep creating content that bridges these two worlds: Practical insights for those starting out, and strategic reflections for those leading the way. Because, at the end of the day, business and economics are not just about numbers — they’re about people, ideas, and growth at every level. #LinkedInAnalytics #Leadership #Startups #BusinessGrowth #CareerDevelopment

Question: What’s the smartest way for startups to preserve culture while scaling fast? Options: a) Prioritize product and process over people b) Hire quickly without assessing culture fit c) Reinforce core values consistently and embed them into daily operations d) Wait until the team grows larger to define culture ✅ Correct Answer: c) Reinforce core values consistently and embed them into daily operations As startups scale, culture can easily slip through the cracks—new hires, new structures, and shifting priorities all test alignment. The key is to keep culture visible and intentional. When values are reinforced through hiring, onboarding, leadership actions, and performance reviews, teams stay connected to what matters most. 💬 Discussion: How does your organization maintain culture while scaling? Share your approach and help others strengthen their teams. #culturedrift #startups #leadership #teamgrowth #organizationalsuccess #asvithoughtworks

The Story Behind Every Successful Company It’s All About Management🌟 A few years ago, a small startup began with just five people and one shared dream. They had great ideas but faced constant chaos missed deadlines, confused roles, and zero coordination. Then came a simple change: better management. They started setting clear goals, assigning roles smartly, and communicating openly. The team began to feel more connected, motivated, and accountable. Within months, that same startup turned into a growing company not because of luck, but because of strong management. Good management isn’t about control it’s about clarity, direction, and trust. It’s the invisible force that turns a group of individuals into one unstoppable team. So, the next time you see a company growing fast, remember it’s not just the product that shines, it’s the management behind the scenes that makes it possible. #leadership #management #teamwork #businessgrowth #corporateculture 

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝. Your company just raised its first big round. The business model is working, the team is growing fast… and suddenly: >> People feel disconnected. >> Projects don’t move forward. >> Communication gets messy. >> Your best early hires start losing steam. You wonder: “How is it possible that we’re doing well, but the team feels stuck?” Here’s what’s happening: You have outgrown the informal, founder-driven model. But you haven’t yet built the organizational one. What used to work with 20 people (instinct, hustle, “everyone does everything”) breaks down completely with 50. ❌ Roles are unclear ❌ No one knows who owns what ❌ Ideas float, but execution stalls ❌ Founders feel frustrated: “Why do they need a career plan now? Don’t they see all the opportunity around them?” Here’s the truth: 👉 If you don’t build the system, your culture will become chaos. And you can’t wait until it hurts to start building. You need to lay the foundations before you hit 30 employees. That's typically the moment where growth starts accelerating, and where clarity becomes your best scaling tool. 𝐇𝐨𝐰? ✅ Articulate clearly who you are, what you do, how you do it and where you go (Your company purpose, mission and vision) ✅ Identify your capability needs and clarify roles, responsibilities and reporting lines accordingly ✅ Communicate clearly, OFTEN, and systematically repeat why everyone is here (your mission and vision) ✅ Acknowledge people’s growth and support (yes, this conversation will come faster than you think) It’s hard because it feels like extra work on top of an already full plate. But if you skip it, you’ll spend 10x more energy fixing the damage later. #PeopleStrategy #OrganisationDesign #Startup #FounderTips #Leadership #FromZeroTo1000 --- I’m Anne Caron, I help leaders build people-first, high-performance cultures as they scale. Follow me for more on People Strategy, Conscious Leadership & Organisational Design.

Is cutting costs the quickest way to crisis? Every organization hits a point where it’s tempted to reduce headcount to save dollars. But what happens when these quick-fixes spark a wildfire? From Hasty Decisions to Hiccups Consider the tale of a bustling startup gunning for market supremacy. An expedient decision axed the Business Analysis unit. Savings, sure! But customer feedback took a nosedive, prompting retrospectives. A forward thinker in the board—think Jobsian talks—warned of this pitfall, advocating for mindful strategies. Practical Action #1: Walk the Strategy Talk How many of us have killer strategies on paper demanding execution? 1. Strategic Alignment: Initiate pilot projects for speculative cuts; test and observe before wide-scale reductions happen. 2. Feedback Echelons: Determine potential impacts through multiple feedback loops both internally and externally. Turn Lemons Into Lattes Though fearpox grips boardrooms, the likes of Satya Nadella steer calmer waters. Spilling out of the tech jungles, he paints transformation rather than reduction! Practical Action #2: Culture Reboot Instead of facing the downturn sword, rally to reinforce. 1. Transformative Leadership: Encourage leaders to channel and communicate positivity, reinvigorating organization ethos. 2. Engagement Therapy: Focus on higher engagement, even amidst less means. Recognize, reward, and reiterate dedication. Spill Your Thoughts Ever seen or experienced organizations that axed their way through, only to knuckle under later? Share your two cents! #BoldLeadership #BusinessAnalysis #Startups #CultureShift #LayOffStrategy #CuttingCost #Wildfire

Can the right leadership style really change the destiny of a business? Absolutely! Growing a business is like navigating a ship through turbulent waters. From a nimble startup to a thriving empire, leadership styles wield immense power to steer the course. When I think of leadership in startups, I often imagine a sports team gearing up for a tough match. Agile, adaptable, and bold. Take for example, an early-stage startup — think of Airbnb in its garage days. The leaders had to be visionary, much like head coaches, formulating game plans on the fly. #ActionableInsight 1: Embrace Flexibility and Vision Whether you're in a budding startup or established company, flexibility is key. Here’s how you can harness it: • Stay Open-minded: Encourage team brainstorming sessions to foster new ideas. • Adapt to Change: Implement short-term goals that can be adjusted as needed. As businesses evolve, leadership must do the same. You wouldn't play the same strategy in a playoff final as you did in the qualifying rounds, right? Consider Microsoft’s journey from a small software firm to a tech titan. Their leadership had to transform from a hands-on, all-in style to a more strategic and systematized approach as they scaled. #ActionableInsight 2: Develop Strategic Oversight As your influence grows, shift from micromanaging to setting broader goals: • Empower Others: Delegate effectively to cultivate emerging leaders. • Focus on Big Picture: Prioritize tasks and focus on overarching business objectives. In leadership, whether steering a startup or an empire, the key is transformation. #PracticalTips 1. Mentorship: Find or become a mentor to expand your leadership perspectives. 2. Continuous Learning: Allocate time for your personal development. 3. Feedback Loop: Establish regular check-ins with your team for constructive feedback. Transforming leadership styles isn't just a strategy; it's a necessity in the dynamic business landscape. What leadership style resonated with you in your career journey? Let's discuss below! #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Strategy #Adaptability #Entrepreneurship

Funding alone will not scale your team - weak management kills momentum faster than cash shortages. Real growth demands leaders who can think strategically, navigate change, and build processes that last. If you keep throwing dollars at chaotic start-ups, you’re just fuelling more chaos. The secret sauce? Investing in hardcore management skills to turn raw potential into sustained results. AI and shiny tech won’t save you without a solid leadership backbone. Scaling is a management and process war, not a product or money game. Ignore this and watch your start-up implode. Prioritize building management muscle or prepare for costly breakdowns. #Leadership #ScalingUp #ManagementMatters #OrganizationalGrowth #StartupSuccess