In this episode, Toni sits down with Leslie Fine, Managing Partner at Enjoy The Work, to unpack the transition from founder to CEO. Leslie shares hard-earned lessons from her own journey—starting in academia and moving into startup leadership—and reveals the essential skills every aspiring CEO needs. From mastering the rhythm of a startup to navigating fundraising and leadership challenges, this episode is packed with insights for women in tech who are ready to take the leap into leadership.
“Every CEO was a first-time CEO once. Leadership is a craft. It’s a learnable skill. People talk about leadership like it’s some mystical quality that you either have or you don’t, but it’s something you can learn and improve.” – Leslie Fine
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The key differences between a founder and a CEO—and why mastering both is crucial
- The three pillars of leadership every startup CEO must develop
- How to set clear goals and lead with accountability
- Why understanding the rhythm of a startup is essential for scaling successfully
- The five major phases of a startup and how to act stage-appropriately
- How to decide if venture capital is the right fit for your business
- The three main jobs of a CEO that define long-term success