Y Combinator Startup Podcast #135 - Camille Fournier
4 snips
Jul 17, 2019 
Camille Fournier, Managing Director at Two Sigma and former CTO of Rent The Runway, discusses the underrated role of management in tech startups. She reveals why many individual contributors never experience effective management and shares insights on how new managers can thrive in their first 90 days. Fournier emphasizes building team cohesion in remote environments and navigating challenges like letting team members go. She also tackles the balance between technical expertise and leadership, showcasing skills that create successful, empathetic managers.
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Lack of Good Managers
- Many individual contributors (ICs) never experience good managers, hindering their growth and development.
- This lack of quality management inspired Camille Fournier to write "The Manager's Path" to address this gap.
Management is Bad Ideology
- The pervasive ideology in tech startups that "management is bad" stems from early successes in small teams.
- Founders mistakenly attribute success to "smart people" instead of recognizing the increasing need for structure as teams grow.
Prioritize One-on-Ones
- New managers should prioritize establishing regular one-on-one meetings, especially if transitioning from a peer role.
- These meetings create dedicated time for addressing interpersonal issues, career guidance, and building rapport.
