Understanding Start-Up CEOs: And the Mindset You Need to Successfully Work For One

Do you ever wonder what goes on in the mind of a startup CEO?

What are they thinking?

What motivates them?

How can I be successful working for one?

These are all common questions that if go unanswered make it seem like start-up CEOs are impossible to understand.

When it comes to describing start-ups, all it takes is just three words: Start-Ups are hard - especially as an executive.

An executive role at a hyper growth start-up is one of the most coveted positions in the world, but also one of the most challenging.

To successfully work with the CEO of a growing start-up, you need to perform at a level you might not be used to from past positions, company cultures, or expectations. In addition, expect your relationship with the CEO to present both unique career-building opportunities as well as daunting and over-whelming challenges at times. Above all else though, remember that one of your CEO&;s core functions is to make sure the right people are in the right positions at all times, which means your boss will be looking at you more times than you might think and asking whether you&;re still the right fit given the needs of the company.

This book, purposefully conversational in tone, focuses on how start-up CEOs think and what you can do better in your role reporting to them. If you know more details about the game you&;re starting or currently playing, you can use that knowledge along your journey to put yourself in the best position to win at any point in addition to succeeding in the long haul.

Dan Slagen is a 4-time start-up executive specializing in scaling global go-to-market functions from early stage to $100M+ in ARR. With experience in both B2B and B2C at companies such as HubSpot and Wayfair, Dan has built teams across marketing, growth, sales, customer success, business development, and founded and sold a video tech startup of his own. A frequent contributor and advisor to the start-up community, Dan has spoken at more than 50 conferences and has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CNBC, TechCrunch, and Bloomberg TV amongst others. Above all else, Dan believes in creativity, drive, and a people first mentality.