Blog
Beyond the Blackboard: A Teacher’s Guide to Thriving as a Startup People Leader
Introduction When Tim Walz was announced as Kamala Harris’ running mate, I was heartened to learn of his background as an award-winning social studies teacher and football coach, not to mention a pioneering faculty supporter for his school’s gay-straight alliance. I can attest that teaching is the best leadership training there is. While we may not all aspire to be Vice President, lessons from the classroom transcend leadership in many settings. With the back-to-school season in full swing, I’ve been reflecting on how these lessons translate to leading People teams in startups. My Time as an Educator First, an important disclaimer: teaching shouldn’t be approached as a stepping stone into
Unlocking Success: The Power of Culture in Digital Health Startups
The surge of tech-driven healthcare startups in recent years is striking. In 2010, digital health companies raised $1 billion in venture capital. By 2021, this soared to $29.1 billion, fueled by the pandemic’s push towards telehealth and digital solutions. Despite this growth, early outcomes are disappointing. Digital health startups have even higher failure rates than those in other sectors; only 10-20% achieve significant success or “unicorn” status. Regulatory hurdles and integration challenges into healthcare systems are certainly major factors, but I believe that neglecting culture and values in early stages also plays a crucial, overlooked role. Startups that build and scale culture thoughtfully are poised to defy these odds. In
Pride at Work: Lessons from the Queer Community
I came out 24 years ago this month. Notwithstanding the support of friends, family members, and teachers, I never imagined back in 2000 that I’d be married with two children and working in a progressive ecosystem that is not only accepting, but celebratory. But in the last quarter century (time flies!), I’ve realized that fully embracing the entire queer community is a lifelong journey. There’s a moral imperative to observe, learn, and grow as it evolves. And the habits we build from doing this have implications for our everyday lives—including how we lead and engage at work. CEOs generally focus on creating and growing category-defining products for their users. I’d
