In this Short Talk episode Judith Germain speaks to David Sinkinson about startup myths and his book "Startup Different". David Sinkinson and his brother founded a SaaS company in the public safety space, building a mobile app that helped improve campus safety. They bootstrapped the business and grew it to over 350 organisations and millions of users. After 8 years, they sold the company for $40 million, which left David and his brother feeling a sense of loss and uncertainty about their identities and next steps.
Key Takeaways
- David co-founded a successful SaaS company in public safety, which was sold for $40 million
- His book "Startup Different" busts 33 startup myths based on real experiences
- Key myths addressed: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", culture formation, and the "alpha" leadership myth
- Empathetic leadership and focusing on market validation over peer validation are crucial for startup success
In their conversation David shares that the most effective leaders are empathetic, collaborative, and focused on building strong teams and coalitions.
David Sinkinson is a proven Saas entrepreneur, podcaster and author.
You can find out more about our guest and today's episode in this Maverick Paradox Magazine article here.
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Maverick leadership is all about thinking outside the box and challenging the status quo. It's about having the courage to take risks and the confidence to lead in a way that is authentic and genuine.
But amplifying your influence as a leader isn't just about having a strong vision or a big personality. It's also about having the right leadership capability and being able to execute on your ideas and plans.
The consequences of not having the right level of influence as a leader can be significant. Without the ability to inspire and motivate others, you may struggle to achieve your goals and make a real impact.
How Influential Are you? Take the scorecard at amplifyyourinfluence.scoreapp.com and see.
Catalysing Transformation - 1 min video
Judith's book: The Maverick Paradox: The Secret Power Behind Successful Leaders.
Judith's websites:
- Judith Germain (mentoring, Speaker, author) - judithge
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