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April 19, 2022

I was a terrible first-time CEO once

Now, advising other CEOs, here are four mistakes I see and counsel against repeatedly:

1. Sharing too many ideas before they are fully baked.

I am all for being completely transparent, but as CEO your words and actions are taken as directives, so you have to be a little bit cautious sharing stuff that is 'just' an idea.

2. Executing > thinking

You need to execute as CEO, on things just you can do. Everything else needs to be delegated, so you have sufficient headspace to think clearly and calmly.

3. Doing too much at the same time

Being ambitious with your time is good, but it is a balance, and doing fewer things better is superior to doing more things less well.

4. Being impatient

You move fast as a CEO of a high-growth company, and so do your colleagues. But, your impatience adds unnecessary pressure unless managed and sometimes contained.

These mistakes stem from passion and drive, both good things. They just lead to bad outcomes.

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