I learnt with startups and small-to-medium enterprises (tech or otherwise) a long time ago that if the founder is a bit of a dick, the workplace culture will be poisonous or exploitative.
Culture comes from the top.
Culture comes from the top.
That doesn't mean there won't be amazing, lovely people there.
Simply that, when push comes to shove, their voices will always be overridden by the default dickishness from the top.
Simply that, when push comes to shove, their voices will always be overridden by the default dickishness from the top.
Productive narcissism is a very effective way of getting a new business off the ground, or turning round a critically failing one.
But it's a leadership style that creates a culture that eventually eats the companies it creates from inside.
It doesn't scale.
But it's a leadership style that creates a culture that eventually eats the companies it creates from inside.
It doesn't scale.
So if your ambition is to be a "founder" (which is a GREAT ambition) remember to learn not just from the successes of your favourite unicorn founders, but also to consider, with open and honest eyes, their failures as their companies grow.
Because the BEST founders find a way to build a culture of quiet leadership from the start, or acknowledge the need to pivot to one before the "move fast. Work hard. Be loud. Break things" culture becomes actively damaging to their company's most valuable resource:
It's people.
It's people.
Anyway. That's my business rant for this morning.
If you're not sure what I mean about productive narcissistic cultures b's quiet leadership, or are interested in learning more, the CPD module I delivered for UCISA on this is available on YouTube:
If you're not sure what I mean about productive narcissistic cultures b's quiet leadership, or are interested in learning more, the CPD module I delivered for UCISA on this is available on YouTube:
I'm available for corporate weddings, birthdays and bar mitzvahs 😆
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