Open Source Startup

Unit 11: The Work of a Startup Executive

Key Takeaways

• Understand the role of a startup CEO and executive team
• Understand how to navigate assigning roles to members of the founding team
• Understand how to network effectively as an executive with limited time

Readings

• High Growth Handbook (Gil)
• Chapter 1: The Role of the CEO
• Chapter 4: Building the Executive Team
• Founder’s Dilemmas
• Chapter 4: Relationship Dilemmas: Flocking Together and Playing with Fire
• Chapter 5: Role Dilemmas: Positions and Decision Making
• Chapter 7: The Three Rs System: Alignment and Equilibrium
• Chapter 10: Failure, Success, and Founder-CEO Succession
• Never Eat Alone
• The Genius of Audacity
• Be a Conference Commando
• Expanding Your Circle
• Be Interesting
• Find Mentors, Find Mentees, Repeat

Deliverables

• Set out core role responsibilities for each member of your startup’s founding team
• Identify potential role and relationship conflicts and codify solutions
• Make a networking skill cheat sheet