The process of leading a start-up is like being a parent

The process of leading a start-up is like being a parent. You can read related book articles or talk to people with similar experiences, but if you don't experience them, no one can fully appreciate the feeling. Since joining the sumo logic company in 2012 and being CEO for the first time, I think it is a journey to lead a start-up.

From my first two years as CEO of Sumo Logic, I've summed up the 8 principles I want to share:

1. Very few people can understand your process or your state of mind. Many will try to understand, but only a handful of people can succeed in understanding the time, emotion, and energy they spend in leading a start-up. The fact that business leaders have been isolated is very difficult, but it is important to accept them. Acceptance will encourage you to move forward in your career, rather than spending a lot of energy trying to get someone else's understanding or recognition. This process is lonely, but please overcome it.

2. Trust your instincts. Well-meaning colleagues, friends and family, even strangers, will make a lot of suggestions to you as an entrepreneur. But if the recommended environment is not right, even the most perfect advice will become worthless. Therefore, it is important to appreciate good advice, but it is vital to trust your intuition. Usually, your first thought will be the best and the initial feeling will be right. Moreover, once things have gone wrong, you have no one to blame but yourself.

3. The idea of "using other people's Money (OPM)" is prohibited. Every entrepreneur should always act as if they were spending their money. People tend to get listless when they tell them they're using someone else's money. A start-up cannot afford trivial consequences.

4. Believe that "good and evil end up with the report." I've seen many people's careers ruined by their own arrogance. You never know how others will come and go in your life. This is especially true in Silicon Valley, where today's entry-level engineers will be the rising star of future startups. It is important to be down-to-earth, unhurried and polite to everyone you meet. As the old saying goes, "speak sweetly, for when you are renege." ”

5. Listen more and speak less. When you chatter, you don't get much. However, in the process of brainstorming with the team, I learned a lot. A good leader always listens first. This will help you to look at the problem from all angles before you begin. Silicon Valley is home to some of the smartest people in the world. If you don't take the time to listen to their ideas, what's the point of hiring them?

6. Interpersonal relationships. Although technology is a focus of many enterprises, people are the foundation of the enterprise. People are also the decision makers. Therefore, the company's leaders need to find the best people and create an attractive working environment for these people. When you expand your business, it helps to balance the needs of your employees and your business.

7. Investors are good resources for the company. For Silicon Valley start-ups, working with highly qualified venture capitalists can change everything. Their relationship with customers, top talent and strategic partners is invaluable.

For sumo logic, our venture capitalists Greylock, Sutter Hill Accel and Sequoia have consistently brought us top talent and marquee customers. VCs make a living by looking for the right team in the right market. Because the changes in the market and power are unpredictable, please confirm that there is no problem in the start-up process of the company.

8. Have faith in the inspiration of one's mission. As it sounds, you have to trust yourself and your business more than anyone else. If you are not passionate about yourself, your employees, investors and customers will not be passionate about your company. In many ways, your own vision of passion and belief will be the most valuable asset for any entrepreneur.

(via:entrepreneur)