Unlocking Growth | Founder

Leadership evolution

As you move through the stages of growth your role as a founder will evolve. As you grow, the ability to inspire others to achieve your vision becomes critical and your role may cycle between focusing on funding, people and strategy. New challenges will evolve and you will need to level up to help you get there.

The Art of
Leadership
Evolution

Based on your answers, there are some aspects of your role for the next stage of growth that need to be clearer or areas where more support is needed. Walk through these steps.

1. Get Ready

Use Sprout's Stages of Growth Model to assess the challenges to expect in your next stage of growth. Write down the skills you are going to need in the business to manage these challenges. Next, assess the capabilities your currently have in the business.

Complete a gap analysis of the skills you need for the next stage of growth

2. Get Clear

If the CEO does not have clarity in their role, this is bad for everyone (including the CEO). Work with someone in your team or an external advisor to get a job description in place for the CEO.

Write a CEO job description

3. Get Honest

Are you in the position that is giving you joy? Are you bringing your best to the business? Are you the right leader for the next stage of growth?

Spend some time reflecting

4. Get Support

There are many pressures on startup founders which impact on wellbeing. Check out Callaghan Innovation's Founder Wellbeing service

Check out Callaghan Innovations Founder Wellbeing

5. Get Advice

Do the board have the experience required for the next stage of growth? Are they a good support system? Take a step back and map out your dream board.

Build the board you need