What do you wish you had known 10 years ago?
I wish I had felt more comfortable in using my voice externally. I was terrified of my imperfections. I was awkward, and I didn’t want that on display. Once I understood, about two years ago, that my voice could impact those around me positively, I finally got the courage to speak.
What book do you recommend the most?
"Nonviolent Communication" by Marshall Rosenberg. Because most people fail due to their own internal limiting beliefs (violent voices in our head).
What's a mistake that you're happy you've made?
All the “mistakes” have taught me something. I wouldn’t say I’m happy I made them, because there’s always a “negative” impact of a mistake. But I wouldn’t take anything back because I wouldn’t have learned without it.
What's the biggest insight you've learned in your entrepreneurial journey so far?
The weight on a founder's shoulder for all successful companies is a lot greater than meets the eye. Strength comes from the ability to know how to get back up when you’re pushed to the ground, what feels like a million times over.
What’s a guiding principle that informs the way you build and run your business?
If we do right by our ecosystem (employees, partners, customers) for the long term, trust that the ecosystem will thrive together.
What motivated you to become an entrepreneur / leader?
I started working very young on all sorts of ventures when I was 8. By necessity. Chili Piper is my first “real’ company. I started it because I believed the B2B buying process is broken and also because I believed companies can do better for their employees and their ecosystem.
What's a perspective that we should pay more attention to in the workplace?
Belief is critical. Without the belief that we can succeed together, we have nothing.
What's your secret sauce for building a great team?
Trusting them to do their best work without monitoring or keeping them captive in an office. While giving them systems that: (1) let them see how the work impacts the overall bottom line; (2) allow them to contribute to all decisions (and all decisions are transparent); and (3) allow them to thrive at work.
We’re building the largest library of insights and wisdom by and for founders and entrepreneurs.
Once a month we'll send you the latest interviews straight to your inbox. No fluff, just value. For free.
Here’s More, From Other Founders Around the World
What's a question you like asking — yourself or others?
I like asking, "What can I learn from this experience?" This question helps me reflect on challenges and successes, fostering continuous improvement and a mindset of growth and learning.
What’s an important guiding principle that informs the way you build and run your business?
“Lead by ideas, not by hierarchy.” The “position” of a person has nothing to do with the ability to contribute great ideas to improve the company. You should always strive for a company culture where everybody can talk to everybody.
What shift in perspective has allowed you to see things differently?
Understanding that you cannot control the decisions other people make, you can only influence and inform them. Not every deal or decision will go your way and this mindset helps avoid self-loathing, anger, and depression.
What was a pivotal moment where your business made a big leap forward?
Understanding the 80/20 principle or even 64/4 and that it's a law of nature applicable everywhere. It's one of the biggest levers for doing more with less or in less time. (E.g. 20% of the streets in the world handle 80% of the traffic.)