Cambridge Business Association
The Feedback Founders Need to Hear
Article

The Feedback Founders Need to Hear

How to Grow Yourself to Grow the Company

First Round Review
First Round Review, 2022
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8

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New ventures require leaders who can build enterprises worthy of their innovative products or services. Executive coach, Alisa Cohn, author of From Start-up to Grown-up, provides valuable guidelines for new CEOs and investors in this article for First Round Review. She finds that visionaries who start companies often become so attached emotionally to their initial vision and their need to manage it that they sabotage their dreams. The suggestions she offers on how to avoid that pitfall will be helpful to entrepreneurs and those who invest in start-ups.

Summary

Founders of successful companies must grow personally to ensure the growth of their companies.

Executive coach Alisa Cohn finds that a start-up can reach its potential only to the extent that its founder grows as an individual and as a manager. Often the inspiration and skills of a visionary entrepreneur differ from those required to head a growing or large corporation as a CEO.

As a founder, focus on what your business needs from you right now. Ask if your current strengths and weaknesses fit your growing company’s needs. As your business expands, you may need to develop new skills, attitudes, and emotional strengths.

Your awareness of your abilities is the starting point for growth.

As a start...

About the Author

Executive coach Alisa Cohn is the author of From Start-up to Grown-up, which won the Independent Press Award in the Business: Entrepreneurship & Small Business category in 2022 and 2023.
 

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