Pendo CEO Todd Olson on Co-Founder Conflict, Hiring Slow, and Pushing Limits at a Software Unicorn

In this episode of HR Heretics, Kelli and Nolan engage in a heartfelt discussion with Todd Olson, CEO and founder of Pendo.

Todd shares his personal and professional journey, from his early days as a developer to his current role as CEO. He provides deep insights into leadership, his unique hiring process, and why he believes HR is essential to business success where human connection and vulnerability are prioritized.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.co

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

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LINKS:

Pendo: https://www.pendo.io/

HR Heretics podcast with JR Rettig: Building Legendary Teams: Trust, Transition, and Quality with JR Rettig of Pendo

LINKEDIN:Todd: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddaolsonNolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:00) Typecasting and the importance of being the CEO

(05:00) Co-founder dynamics at Pendo

(09:00) The CEO card and cultural decisions

(12:00) Blending human elements with leadership

(16:00) The impact of personal life on leadership

(17:13) Sponsors: Workvivo | Attio

(19:47) Todd on Elon Musk

(21:00) Building a culture of followership

(24:00) Hiring practices

(27:00) The "why" behind joining Pendo

(31:00) Interviewing Senior SDRs

(34:00) CEO involvement in offer review

(37:00) Hiring executives

(41:00) The first 90 days of an executive

(45:00) The role of HR in 2024

(50:00) Hiring a head of HR