Founders Uncut: Real Startup Stories

15. Jamie Hale, CEO & Co-founder of Ladder - Earn the Right to Work on the Next Challenge, Tough Decisions on Your Shoulders - Layoffs and How to Handle, Being the Shock Absorber for the Company, Wisdom in what may be hard to hear and Joy from Work

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Episode notes

With me today is Jamie Hale, CEO & Co-founder of Ladder, which has issued over $50BN in life insurance and raised over $100 million. Hear from him on:

The Founding Journey

• Jamie’s Recurring Nightmare as a Founder 
• Feeling Alone Even if you Aren’t 
• Who is Your Cheerleader?
• Shock Absorber for the Company
• Mindset of Getting Better Everyday
• The Feedback Vacuum
• Choosing the Right Cofounder 
• Getting Your Teeth Kicked in Everyday

Key Learnings

• Tough Decision on Your Shoulders - Layoffs
• Wisdom in What May Be Hard to Hear
• Managing Board as a Distributed Boss
• How to Get Feedback & Accountability as a Founder
• How the CEO Role Changes over Time
• The Difference between a CEO & a Founder
• Husband/Wife Co-founding Teams

Maintaining the Culture

• Mark the Moment & Celebrate 
• Earned the Right to Work on the Next Challenge
• Joy from Work - Applying Talent & Creativity to Problem Solving
• The Scars from Failing and Getting it Wrong
• Always Asking if You Are Right for the Job
• Growing Talent Within
• Board Culture

Find out more at KindredCapital.VC/FoundersUncut

This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions

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