Not Another CEO Podcast

Leading with Vision and Determination - Kathryn Minshew - Not Another CEO Podcast - Episode #11

Oct 1, 2024

In this engaging conversation, Kathryn Minshew, Co-founder and former CEO of The Muse, shares her inspiring journey in tech and entrepreneurship. She discusses the challenges of fundraising, making tough leadership decisions, and fostering open dialogue in teams. Kathryn emphasizes the significance of integrity and learning from setbacks, particularly as a female CEO. She also dives into her passion for investing in Broadway and her ongoing ventures, illustrating the balance between creativity and business acumen.

01:08:24

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Episode guests

Kathryn Minshew

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Kathryn highlights the importance of accepting that unpopular decisions are often necessary for effective leadership, especially in complex scenarios.

The podcast emphasizes the necessity of fostering open dialogue within teams while recognizing the importance of ultimately making decisive choices.

Personal branding and visibility are crucial elements for entrepreneurial success, helping to attract users and establish company credibility.

Deep dives

The Impact of Leadership Decisions

A significant lesson shared revolves around the challenges of making impactful decisions as a CEO, particularly regarding team dynamics. Early in her tenure at The Muse, the speaker learned the importance of being comfortable with unpopular decisions and the necessity of acting in line with one's principles. As the company's size increased, the complexity of decisions grew, leading to pressures from team members who might not have access to all relevant information. The realization that a CEO must sometimes make choices that won't please everyone, while still being open to feedback, was crucial in her growth as a leader.

Intro

3min

Navigating Leadership Challenges

8min

Navigating Startup Challenges and Community in Tech

11min

Scaling and Strategic Leadership

17min

Overcoming Funding Challenges

12min

Navigating New Ventures

15min

Connecting and Supporting Founders

2min

In this episode, we sit down with Kathryn Minshew, Co-Founder and former CEO of The Muse, to discuss her journey in the tech and entrepreneurship space. She shares her experiences from fundraising challenges and building a team to the crucial leadership lessons she learned along the way.

Kathryn emphasizes the importance of being comfortable with making unpopular decisions and the impact of integrating experienced executives into a growing company. She also delves into her recent adventures in advising companies, investing in Broadway shows, and potentially planning her next entrepreneurial venture.

Takeaways:

Accept That Not Everyone Will Support Your Choices: As a leader, you may have access to information that others don’t, which can lead to misunderstandings. Focus on acting with integrity and staying true to your values.
Encourage Open Dialogue but Know When to Decide: Foster a culture where team members feel comfortable expressing dissenting opinions. However, there comes a time when you must make the final decision and stand by it.
Continuously Reevaluate Leadership Approaches: Regularly assess and refine your leadership strategies. Engage with diverse perspectives through reading, mentoring, or coaching to enrich your approach.
Adopt a Collaborative Mindset: Effective leadership involves seeking advice and fostering collaboration. Welcoming external insights can enhance your decision-making and strengthen your team’s capabilities.
Learn from Setbacks: Challenges and failures can offer valuable lessons. Use feedback from rejections or setbacks to improve your methods and strategies for future success.

Quote of the Show:

“I think culturally we often still want women to be women. Really caring, really kind, really likable… but I also have to make hard calls to run a business. People punish women more when they perceive those things are in conflict.” - Kathryn Minshew

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