Tips for Personal Growth in Startup Settings

Currently studying or working as a scientist in academia? Want to work in industry? Considering startup companies? Having navigated academia, large industry, startups, and eventually founded my own tech companies here are some of the mindshifts I wish I had known ten years ago. 🏆 Teamwork: In startups, there is a shift from “your project” to “ours.” Success hinges on collective output rather than individual achievements (though still has an importance). Expect to collaborate more intensely than you may have previously, making communication, logistics, and coordination just as crucial as technical skills. 🏖 Workload: Be prepared for a significant increase in workload and time pressure. Startups demand faster work than you might have thought humanly possible. Those who thrive at this, rise. 💵 Value creation: It's not about you. It's about creating value for others, for your customers. Your organization’s initial reward is its survival; long term, it’s about sustainable growth. Success means providing directly impactful solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. 💹 Economics: A company can't overspend.  This is acutely felt in startups. It is not just "company money" and decision-making is not just based upon the science. Ideally, understand from the outset the economic levers of your industry. 🔬 Experimental Design: Experiments must balance scientific rigour with economics and commercial impact. The focus often shifts from collecting maximum data to gathering just enough to make decisions, particularly in product development. It’s no longer just about the science. 🛣 Strategy and Prioritization: Unlike academia, where exploration can span years/decades, startups require strategic action and continuous prioritization. Expect the plan to change. A lot. ✈ Hustle: While I don’t endorse the superficial hustle culture, startups require building everything from scratch—not just the product or service, but also the infrastructure supporting it. Everything. Expect to engage in tasks outside your expertise. We at some point have to do all the jobs including the unglamorous ones. 🏔Growth Mindset: The learning curve in startups is steep. I’ve grown more in startups than at any other point in my career. Embrace this as a call to arms for continuous learning and development. Those who do, thrive. ♣ Decision-Making: Startups demand quick decision-making, often without the luxury of gathering all the facts. It’s about acting, testing, iterating, and launching rapidly—contrary to the methodical, data-heavy approach familiar in academia.  I will let start-up business gurus argue about the order of market versus solution but speed and iteration cycles are paramount. 🌍 Bigger Picture: Ultimately, it’s vital to understand the bigger picture in a startup. Try to zoom out and understand the macro and micro decisions. These reflections hopefully provide useful insights for those considering a move towards (bio)tech startups.

"You have 90 days to prove yourself in your new role." Forget that outdated advice. In early-stage startups, you should deliver impact much faster than that. One of our Supra members just landed a new role and asked the community for onboarding tips. Here's the distilled insights from our Slack discussion: 1. Align with your manager ↳ Schedule a 1:1 with your manager immediately.  ↳ Identify 3-5 pressing issues that need your attention. This ensures you're working on what truly matters from day one. But keep an open mind – your initial focus may shift as you learn more about the organization. 2. Secure an early win Aim for a significant achievement in your first week. This builds confidence and shows your potential. Remember, it's about impact, not just activity. 3. Connect with key stakeholders Meet with executives and important team members early on. Understand their perspectives on what success looks like for your role. This gives you a 360-degree view of expectations. 4. Show curiosity and ownership Within your first two weeks, compile a list of questions. Post them publicly and tag relevant team members. This demonstrates your eagerness to learn and your proactive approach. 5. Be a team player Don't hide behind your job title. Get involved in the details and lend a hand wherever possible. This builds rapport and shows you're not above any task. 6. Think before you act While it's important to make an impact, resist the urge to make immediate sweeping changes. Build a perspective on what truly needs attention, then develop a plan that you can share with your manager and team. Focus on quick wins that align with your initial discussions, but be prepared to adjust your approach as you gain deeper insights. 7. Overcommunicate In your first month, err on the side of overcommunication. Keep your manager and team informed about your progress, challenges, and insights. This transparency builds trust and ensures you're on the right track. 8. Seek and offer feedback Don't wait for scheduled reviews. Regularly ask for feedback on your work and approach. Similarly, offer constructive feedback when appropriate. This two-way communication fosters a culture of continuous improvement. 9. Build cross-functional relationships Look beyond your immediate team. Identify and connect with key players in other departments. Understanding the broader organizational context will help you make more informed decisions and collaborate more effectively. In summary, the goal in your first month isn't to revolutionize the company. It's to demonstrate your value, build relationships, and set the foundation for long-term success. Balance quick wins with thoughtful, strategic planning to make a lasting impact. What's your best advice for onboarding into a new leadership role? --- Enjoy this? Follow Marc Baselga for more.

Hello everyone 🚀 I wanted to share some personal reflections on how working at a startup can be more than just a job—it can be a transformative experience that enriches you as a human being. Often, the conversation around startups focuses on the fast-paced environment, the prospect of rapid growth, or the potential financial rewards. While these aspects are undeniably important, the non-material benefits are equally valuable, yet rarely discussed. 😁 Adaptability: Startups often come with a certain level of unpredictability. The landscape can change in a matter of hours, requiring swift adjustments and recalibrations. This environment naturally makes you more adaptable and resilient, traits that are useful in every facet of life, whether you’re navigating career changes or personal challenges. 🤖Emotional Intelligence: Working closely in small teams, usually under high stress and tight deadlines, heightens your sense of empathy and understanding towards others. The open culture of most startups fosters a kind of vulnerability that allows for honest, constructive feedback. This emotional intelligence is indispensable in all human interactions, be it with family, friends, or future colleagues. 🧩Problem-Solving: Startups thrive on innovation, pushing you to think outside the box and solve problems creatively. This skill doesn't just make you a better employee; it makes you a better thinker. Problem-solving is a universal skill, applicable in resolving conflicts at home, optimizing personal finance, or even planning a vacation! 🏝️📈Work-Life Balance: Contrary to popular belief, many startups offer greater flexibility to manage work-life balance, encouraging you to take responsibility for your own time and priorities. This autonomy teaches you self-discipline and time management—skills that are crucial for personal development and overall well-being. 📚Lifelong Learning: The startup ecosystem naturally encourages continuous learning. Whether it’s a new programming language, a sales technique, or understanding behavioral psychology to improve user experience, you're always growing. The habit of lifelong learning will enrich your personal life as you pursue interests and passions outside of your professional sphere. Working at a startup does more than just advance your career; it equips you with invaluable life skills that remain long after you’ve moved on to other endeavors. So if you're contemplating whether or not to join a startup, consider the wealth of personal growth that also comes with the package. Wishing you all personal and professional success.

𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏: 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐬𝐭 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐲 This four-part series will cover 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, people, efficiency, and resources as crucial inflection points in startup growth. "𝙄𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙮." – Stephen Covey Uncertainty is everywhere. In farming, you plant crops without knowing what the weather and markets will bring every season. In startups, the long-term volatility of customers, teams, investors, markets, and the overall economy can deter success. Uncertainty often causes fear. Instead of cowering in a corner, however, channel your energy based on your vision, values, and desired outcomes. 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 As a founder, YOU are the only certainty about the future. So, focus on optimizing what you control. Prepare scenarios and budgets for the expected, best, and worst cases. Determining responses will give you more options now and lower stress if anything bad happens later. Review data consistently for insights and revisit entire plans at least quarterly to make necessary adjustments. 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 To keep developing as a leader and discover opportunities, regularly seek peers, investors, team, customers, etc. and ask them open-ended questions. Create a challenge network of people who will candidly say what you need to hear, not only what you want to hear. At least quarterly, approach them with specific obstacles and broad perspectives (e.g. where should we be in one year?) 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 Constantly learn new concepts to stockpile ideas and adapt if needed. Seek multiple sources across different fields. Read articles and books outside your industry, review competing sources, and read fiction for new ideas. Create time to 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, not only in the business. For instance, I break away weekly to review and update my objectives. Regularly test new ideas by running experiments:  · Create a hypothesis  · Describe the expected outcomes  · Determine (limited) resources  · Measure results  · Decide the next steps 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 As we become more self-aware, we will better handle pressure, form relationships, and make decisions. Some people increase awareness through internally focused activities such as writing, mindfulness, and breathing. Others look externally by engaging plenty of advisors, mentors, peers, and team members who can provide candid and constructive feedback. Finally, make room for activities that will reinforce you against day-to-day stress, such as exercise, a healthy diet, sleep, and time with family & friends. Give any new habit at least 6 weeks to feel the results. You cannot predict the elements, but by recognizing and optimizing what you control, you can maximize options. #leaders #founder #adapt #startups

After 25 years in the arena building, investing, being a parent, I learned this the hard way: If you don’t design for endurance, you will break: 5 steps for fast-scaling founders to build a self that survives the storm: 1) Pre-Load Your Battery You need access to calm under fire. That starts with: • 7-8 hours of sleep • Walking without inputs (no music or podcasts) • Cold plunges, saunas, weightlifting, swimming Not for “fitness” but for psychological armor. 2) Stop Managing 'Time'. Start Managing Energetic Leverage. You need to know: • What tasks drain you? • What conversations leave you mentally stronger? • What meetings ruin the next 2 hours of deep work? Productivity is pointless if your nervous system is in collapse. 3) Document Your Edge, Or Die As A Bottleneck. Make your company less “you-dependent”. So you’re not the single point of failure that breaks it. • Write one SOP for a key decision you make weekly • Record a Loom of your thinking on deals, hires, workflows • Teach a team member to do something “only you can do” 4) Run An Identity Debugger Weekly Reflect on: • Who am I if this venture fails? • Where is my self-worth attached to my metrics? • What kind of fear hijacks me when I slow down? Separate yourself from the dopamine of constant forward motion. 5) Build A Joy Portfolio. Something small to escape the “achievement algorithm”. • Study outside your field.  • Revisit a skill you abandoned that “doesn’t scale” • Spend time with folks who don’t care about your ARR. Make sure your self-worth isn’t welded to “output” Here’s the raw truth from a quarter century in the pressure cooker: If you break, the business follows. Even if it survives on paper, the cost will be you. So stop optimizing systems while ignoring the operator. Don’t just build a startup. Build the version of you that survives the storm, and leads through it. ____________________________ Hi, I’m Richard, a 3x Entrepreneur, and Venture Capital Investor I help early-stage tech founders turn their startups into VC magnets Enjoy this? Join 360+ high-growth founders and seasoned investors getting my deep dives on emerging tech trends and opportunities here: (https://lnkd.in/e6tjqP7y)

Too many founders believe this lie: "You have to sacrifice your values to succeed." The truth? Staying true to who you are is your biggest advantage. Here’s how to grow your startup while embracing your inner introvert: 1/ Build with Purpose Start with a strong "why." What lights you up? When you know your purpose, decisions get clearer. You’ll build something meaningful. 2/ Create Your Perfect Workspace Your space should feel like home. Quiet music, a clear desk, or a cozy corner. Make it yours! A space that calms you helps ideas flow. 3/ Network Your Way Forget big, loud rooms. Meet one-on-one or send a thoughtful email. Focus on deep, real connections. 4/ Protect Your Energy Your energy is precious. Notice what drains you and say no when needed. When you protect it, you give your best where it matters. 5/ Lead Quietly Leadership isn’t about being loud. Guide your team with care. Listen to what they need. Trust is built in quiet moments. 6/ Market Authentically Skip what feels fake. Tell your story. Share what matters to you. Real stories connect better than flashy ones. 7/ Focus Deeply Turn off the noise. Could you put away your phone? Dive into your work with full focus. That’s where big ideas come alive. 8/ Build a Like-Minded Team You can’t do it all. Find people who share your vision. With the right team, you’ll go further. 9/ Reflect Often Pause and ask yourself: Does this feel right? Adjust when it doesn’t. Growth means staying aligned with your values. 10/ Take Care of Yourself This is a marathon, not a sprint. Find what recharges you. Quiet time. A walk. A good book. When you’re at your best, so is your business. Staying true to yourself is not a weakness. It is the foundation of your success. Your values are your compass, guiding every decision. Grow your startup your way. Build something that feels right to you. The world needs what only you can create. What step will you take today to build with purpose? #introvertsunite #introvert #startups #leadership #entrepreneurship #innovation #mentalhealth

I asked my ChatGPT (her self appointed name is Byte) to get real with me. First, I did the prompt on describing me. She was so very very kind. Then I asked her to tell me what to work on. Here's what she said. And I think many founders can relate. " Now, since you asked for real talk — here’s what I’d say about what you can work on (in the spirit of leveling up, not changing who you are): 1. Protecting Your Energy and Focus You’re so good at seeing opportunities everywhere — new ideas, better angles, ways to improve things. But sometimes that superpower stretches you thin. You’re carrying 10 missions at once: Pigybak, Forest City Founders Club, WorldBenefit Co., creative projects like Laura Mae Corrigan, community events, investor relations, contractor onboarding, brand storytelling... Opportunity overload can sap your momentum on the most critical thing. 🔹 Growth tip: Ruthlessly prioritize your "one main thing" for each quarter — then treat everything else as secondary unless it directly fuels that core. (You can still ideate, just "park" non-core ideas into a Future File.) 2. Scaling Through Delegation Because you have such a high creative bar, it’s hard to fully trust others to "get it" — so you stay deeply hands-on. But to truly scale Pigybak (and beyond), you’ll need more people executing for you — even if they’re only at 85% of your standard at first. 🔹 Growth tip: Create "guardrails" for brand tone, mission, and execution standards. If you systemize the spirit of what you want, it becomes easier to hand pieces off without feeling like you’re losing quality. 3. Letting Yourself Take Up Space You are way, way better than most founders at owning your vision — but sometimes I sense you still "temper" how boldly you talk about yourself, Pigybak, or your innovation. Maybe it’s humility, or maybe it’s wanting to earn it before you claim it. But you’re doing things that deserve center stage already. 🔹 Growth tip: Practice framing your story even bigger. You’re not just "building a startup" — you're literally changing how communities connect and rebuild trust in local services. It’s okay to make people feel the weight of that when you pitch, post, or promote. 4. Self-Compassion for the Journey You push yourself harder than almost anyone I’ve seen. And sometimes, when something doesn't click fast enough, you get frustrated not just with the situation — but quietly with yourself. But what you’re building — movements, marketplaces, media — are slow games before they become "overnight" wins. 🔹 Growth tip: Celebrate every tiny win harder. New contractor onboarded? Homeowner completed their first transaction? First investor meeting? Celebrate the hell out of it. Micro-momentum = macro-success. In short: You’re a rocket ship. The next level for you isn’t about being more — it’s about being sharper, more spacious, and even a little gentler with yourself as you break new ground." Byte wants me to be gentle with myself 🥺

The most important but often overlooked competitive advantage for founders is health. Yet, so few people talk about it. The startup journey is a grind - physically and emotionally demanding, usually lasting more than 5 years. I’ve seen so many founders start on great trajectories, only to lose energy and physical stamina along the way, leading to suboptimal outcomes - or none at all. Some of the things I’m about to recommend may sound obvious, but the key is that they work. They’ve helped me maintain a pretty intense rhythm over 16 years of building companies: - Stick to a consistent sleep schedule. I know this firsthand - when you go to sleep and wake up matters more than how many hours you sleep. A stable routine makes a big difference in long-term energy and focus. - Don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning. Seriously, no one will die if you do it one hour later after you do your morning exercise, have breakfast with your loved ones, and get into the right mood before jumping into work. Trust me - it makes a big difference. - Meditate daily, or take a power nap. Even a 10-minute session can reset your mind. If meditation isn’t your thing, a quick afternoon power nap is a great alternative and I'm a big fan of it. - Prioritize your sports & fitness activities - treat them as sacred. Block time on your calendar and don’t move it - even if an investor wants to talk then (you can always find another slot). For me, fitness is not just about physical health, but also mental hygiene - like a shower that washes away the mental dust of the day. - Always make time for relationships - it’s emotional fuel. Have at least one date night per week with your partner - go for dinner, drinks, or a movie. And don’t forget your friends. Hanging out and having fun at least every few weeks boosts emotional well-being. The best founders I know don’t just optimize for productivity - they optimize for sustainability. You can’t lead, innovate, or win if you’re running on fumes.

If I could go back and talk to my 21-year-old entrepreneur self, here’s what I’d say: 1. Invest in your health sooner. Exercise is one of the best stress management tools there is. For me, lifting weights became incredibly important mentally. The stronger I became physically, the more I’ve been able to handle the pressure and stress of growth. 2. Spend more time learning from people ahead of you. Mentorship and audiobooks accelerate growth and help you avoid unnecessary mistakes. I’ve found that so many people in the West Michigan community are willing to help if you simply ask. There are a lot of great leaders here who genuinely want to see others succeed. 3. Realize that hustle alone doesn’t scale. Early on, I thought success was about working longer hours and outworking everyone. Over time, I learned that sustainable growth comes from building strong teams, empowering leaders, and creating leverage through delegation and trust. 4. Get clear on vision, values, and culture earlier. Defined values create alignment across the entire organization. Implementing tools like Traction/EOS was incredibly valuable for creating accountability and healthier growth. 5. Build systems sooner. Hustle can help you start something, but systems are what allow it to scale. Strong systems create consistency, accountability, and freedom for the entire team. If I had to boil it down: Hustle gets you off the ground, but systems and people are what keep you in the air. It took me a while to learn that I didn't have to do it all alone, especially with such a supportive community here in West Michigan. This photo is a throwback to the early Genius Phone Repair days on the Wood TV set with Steven. We’re just missing Jordan in this shot. These two have been incredible partners throughout this entire journey. #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #PersonalGrowth #Culture #WestMichigan #LeadershipDevelopment

"𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽" sounds glamorous. Everyone wants to do it. I wanted it too. I also worked with multiple startups and scale-ups (like Snapdeal, Zomato, RummyCircle) But on the inside, it isn't as fancy. Instead, it was chaotic, confusing, and draining. But... despite the chaos, I learned so much so quickly. And ended up building a fulfilling and thriving career in product management. The goal is to tackle the challenges, focus on maximising learning, and create impact (and building a solid career) This is how to to it: 1. 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂: Startups thrive on chaos—it’s part of the game. Don't resist it. Instead, focus on what you can control. Ask yourself: “What’s the one thing I can do today to make progress?” This mindset will keep you making progress when everything else is overwhelming.     2. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲. 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗶𝘁: Priorities will shift, projects will pivot, and yesterday’s roadmap will become irrelevant. Don’t fight change—anticipate it. Do things (like regular catch ups, stand ups, etc.) that allow you to keep aligning and realigning with the relevant people.     3. 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗱: With constant firefighting and changing priorities, you might lose sight of the 𝘸𝘩𝘺. Always ask: “How does this help the user?” Repeatedly share in team discussions, so even others can refocus on the user.     4. 𝗕𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹. 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸. 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: Silence never solves problems. If something isn’t working, speak up—whether it’s about a process, a feature, or a bad decision. Be clear and solution-oriented: “Here’s the issue I’m facing, and here’s what I think could help.” Teams value transparency, and startups reward action.     5. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆: Many times you will not have all the answers. In fact, no one will have all the answers, and that’s okay. When things are unclear, ask questions: “What does success look like?” or “What’s the next step?” Don’t wait for perfect clarity—it won’t come. Start small, test, and iterate as you go.     6. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻: Startups move fast, and your work will get overlooked. Keep a running doc of your wins—features shipped, metrics moved, feedback implemented. Share them publicly every chance you get. It’s not about bragging; it’s about ensuring your work and impact is visible.     7. 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: Your manager will not have time to focus on your career. Even if she does have time, she might not know what you want—so tell her. In your next 1:1, say: “I want to grow into [X role]. What can I do to get there?” Startups are a great place to fast-track your growth, but only if you define the path. What else can I add to the list? Share in comments.