Mike Grossman shares his journey of running early stage technology companies in Silicon Valley, reflecting on the challenges, successes, and the importance of people in business. He emphasizes the need for emotional intelligence and understanding the context of business, particularly in relation to people and financial aspects. Mike also discusses the significance of having the right people in the right places and the challenges of managing and dealing with people as a company grows. The conversation covers topics related to leadership, team dynamics, hiring, company culture, and the impact of technology on business. It also delves into the importance of radical honesty, mental health, and managing expectations in a business environment. The conversation delves into the roller coaster ride of business environments, the importance of emotional resilience, and the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. It also explores the motivation behind writing a book and the evolving nature of decision-making in the tech industry.

Takeaways

• Silicon Valley CEO Mike Grossman shares insights on running early stage technology companies
• The importance of people and financial context in business
• Challenges and successes of managing and dealing with people as a company grows Trust and role modeling are essential for fostering effective communication and team dynamics.
• The focus on input rather than outcome, radical honesty, and managing mental health are crucial for navigating the challenges of running a business. Emotional resilience is crucial in navigating the ups and downs of business environments.
• The decision-making criteria in the tech industry is evolving, and the pace of change is accelerating.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey of Running Early Stage Technology Companies
• 03:10 The Role of People in Business
• 08:42 Managing and Dealing with People as a Company Grows
• 17:08 Fostering Effective Communication and Team Dynamics
• 18:07 Challenges of Hiring and Company Culture
• 18:32 Adapting to Small vs. Large Organizations
• 20:26 Managing Expectations and Radical Honesty
• 21:12 Defining Success and Societal Expectations
• 22:05 Navigating Business Pressures and Mental Health
• 23:00 Focus on Input and Managing Expectations
• 24:31 Navigating Business Challenges and Results
• 25:19 Maintaining Equilibrium and Managing Expectations
• 32:06 Impact of Technology on Business
• 35:34 Navigating the Roller Coaster
• 36:46 Emotional Resilience and Professionalism
• 37:16 Mental Health and Decision-Making
• 40:07 Motivation for Writing a Book
• 50:54 Evolving Decision-Making in Tech

This with Jeanne Hardacre conversation explores Jeanne's book The Culture Trap the profound impact of emotions on behavior change, emphasizing that while knowledge and beliefs are important, it is ultimately our feelings that drive transformation. The discussion delves into how understanding behavior and the role of emotions can lead to more effective change strategies.

Takeaways

• What we think and know is important, but actually the change comes from what we feel.
• Emotion is the energy that leads to behavior change.
• Feelings are crucial for transformation.
• Understanding behavior is key to change.
• Knowledge alone isn't enough for change.
• Belief shapes our actions and reactions.
• Energy from emotions fuels our decisions.
• Transformation requires emotional engagement.
• Our emotion drives our actions.
• The interplay of emotion and knowledge is vital for effective change.

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Power Dynamics
02:52 Jeanne's Journey: From Baby Manager to Independent Consultant
06:12 Challenging Authority: The Cost of Speaking Truth to Power
09:08 The Shift to Independence: Embracing Freedom in Consultancy
11:59 Patterns of Power: Perpetuation vs. Interruption
14:54 The Courage to Change: Self-Reflection and Accountability
17:56 The Role of Culture in Leadership
20:54 Learning from Experience: The Importance of Humility
23:54 Martial Arts and Leadership: The Art of Letting Go
33:49 The Humility of Martial Arts and Leadership
37:45 The Culture Trap: Understanding Workplace Dynamics
46:28 The HUMAN Approach: Transforming Organizational Culture
55:54 Invitational Change: Empowering Teams to Evolve
01:02:55 Emotional Connection: The Key to Behavioral Change

To find out more about Guy Bloom and his award winning work in Team Coaching, Leadership Development and Executive Coaching click below.

The link to everything CLICK HERE
UK: 07827 953814
Email: guybloom@livingbrave.com
Web: www.livingbrave.com

In this episode of Leadership Bites, I sit down with Gary Clarke, Group Head of Learning and Development at Qatar Airways, based in Doha.

Gary leads group wide learning across a 65,000 person organisation, with a team of around 80, covering everything from operational training that keeps aircraft flying, to leadership and capability, learning tech, digital content, and vendor partnerships. Along the way, we get into what it really takes to run an internal learning function like a business, build credibility fast, and become the supplier of choice inside a complex, high pace, multi subsidiary organisation.

We talk about leading in a multicultural reality, the tension between standards and psychological safety, why bland harmony is a risk, and how to create a community of practice that pulls people together without forcing compliance. We also touch on AI and learning, not as a shiny distraction, but as a tool, while the real edge remains human connection, trust, and leadership craft.

If you care about culture in the real world, not the poster on the wall, this one will land.

Connect with me at livingbrave.com

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Chapters
00:00 Intro and welcome
00:29 Gary Clarke and Qatar Airways context
02:51 Scale, growth, and operational pace
05:03 What learning covers in an airline
08:57 Supplier of choice mindset for internal L and D
10:43 Quality, credibility, and Brandon Hall Awards
12:14 Centralised vs federated learning models
14:19 Building community through internal conferences
21:17 Multicultural leadership, standards, and integration
33:04 Clear standards, clear intention
34:03 Human centred leadership and psychological safety
49:13 AI, generational gaps, and learning strategy
57:12 The next few years and what matters most

To find out more about Guy Bloom and his award winning work in Team Coaching, Leadership Development and Executive Coaching click below.

The link to everything CLICK HERE
UK: 07827 953814
Email: guybloom@livingbrave.com
Web: www.livingbrave.com