Articles by Ali Rowghani
What’s the Second Job of a Startup CEO?Ali describes the high-level phases a CEO goes through: 1. Doer-in-chief: Get deeply involved in product and go-to-market, make sure the company gets to PMF. From 1 - 25 employees 2. Company-Builder-in-Chief: Delegate and lead an executive team 3. Invest in new lines of business: Starting at 500 headcount, figure out what happens next for the company, including investing in new product lines. What are the 3 tasks a CEO can't delegate in Phase 2? 1. Hiring a Leadership Team and Making Sure They Work Well Together 2. Creating Purpose and Alignment 3. Nurturing Company Culture
How Do You Measure Leadership?Ali explains that people with all sorts of temperaments, personalities, and backgrounds can be leaders, but that great leaders excel in three key areas foundational to building trust: - Clarity of Thought and Communication - Judgment about People - Personal Integrity and Commitment