#66, Mary-Catherine Lader, COO of Uniswap Labs — How you know you're ready to take on more risk, why you should create anti-values, and the importance of community
May 7, 2024
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Mary-Catherine Lader, COO of Uniswap Labs, discusses decentralized leadership at Uniswap, balancing public infrastructure and equity business, and fostering company culture. Insights on hiring practices, team foundation, and leadership dynamics in a changing environment are shared.
Decentralized leadership at Uniswap influences product development and corporate journey.
Balancing public infrastructure and equity-focused business is key for Uniswap's success.
Fostering a learning-rich environment through rituals and transparency enhances employee engagement at Uniswap Labs.
Deep dives
Mary Catherine's Career Journey and Transition to COO of Uniswap Labs
Mary Catherine shares her career journey from traditional finance roles to becoming the COO of Uniswap Labs, a decentralized finance developer. She discusses her shift into the crypto world, creating her own onboarding plan at Uniswap, and insights on culture, hiring, and managing a fast-growing business.
Understanding Crypto and Uniswap's Innovative Approach
Mary Catherine explains the innovative aspect of blockchains as the next wave of the internet and how they enable digital ownership. She clarifies misconceptions about crypto being a Ponzi scheme and highlights Uniswap's mission to enhance universal ownership through blockchain technology.
Scaling From Eight to One Hundred: Building Culture and Communication
As Uniswap grows from eight to one hundred employees, Mary Catherine navigates challenges in scaling, focusing on maintaining transparency and a shared mission. She introduces rituals like all-hands meetings, university sessions for knowledge sharing across the team, and adapting processes to align with the company's values and culture.
Fostering Learning and Collaboration within Teams
Encouraging junior team members to lead educational sessions on topics they excel in promotes a culture of learning and collaboration within the company, allowing individuals to share knowledge and enhance their presentation and teaching skills. This approach not only elevates the learning experience but also fosters a sense of community and empowerment among coworkers, bridging gaps between different team members and enhancing overall team dynamics.
Embracing Self-Reflection and Continuous Growth as a Leader
Reflecting on personal growth and leadership development, the speaker delves into the importance of embracing self-reflection and continuously evolving as a leader. By acknowledging areas of insecurity, such as imposter syndrome, and prioritizing inner work, leaders can enhance their decision-making processes, cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves, and improve communication with team members. Investing in practices like meditation, journaling, and introspection aids in navigating challenges, fostering resilience, and ultimately shaping effective leadership styles.
Mary-Catherine Lader is the Chief Operating Officer of Uniswap Labs. She previously was a Managing Director at BlackRock, and Chief Operating Officer of the firm’s Digital Wealth business and head of its climate tech business, Aladdin Sustainability. She began her career as an investment analyst with Goldman Sachs’ Special Situations Group and served on the staff of the World Economic Forum’s Davos gatherings for a decade.
In our talk, you'll hear about:
➡️ Decentralized Leadership: How Uniswap's unique autonomous governance structure influences their products and corporate journey.
➡️ The Uniswap Approach: How they balance the drive for building public infrastructure with the demands of running an equity-focused business, all while maintaining a hands-off approach to the governance community.
➡️ Cultivating Company Culture: Rituals, Transparency, and Empowerment. Learn how Uniswap Labs is fostering a learning-rich environment and driving employee engagement through university sessions and regular updates.
Learn more about Uniswap | Website https://www.uniswap.org
