The Covid pandemic was a challenge for all startups, and it made some of them stronger. In this interview, Kumar Emmarilli talks about what changes and commitments they had to make during the Pandemic. They weren't easy, but they made the company stronger. Learn more about Kumar at linkedin.com/in/kumar-erramilli-17782834

Chapters

00:00 Introduction of Kumar Emmarilli

01:51 Kumar's Journey from Engineer to CTO

03:53 Navigating Leadership Challenges Post-COVID

06:39 Empowering Teams and Managing Expectations

09:50 Understanding Team Dynamics and Growth

11:45 The Role of People and Culture in Startups

14:45 Establishing and Maintaining Company Culture

18:57 Communication Strategies for Effective Leadership

Takeaways

Kumar transitioned from software engineering to CTO by leading by example.

Simplicity in communication is crucial but challenging to achieve.

COVID-19 changed the dynamics of team communication, creating silos.

Empowering team members requires trust and clear expectations.

Understanding individual team member goals is key to effective management.

Company culture should be a priority as startups grow.

Core values must be embodied in daily actions, not just stated.

Effective communication involves both oral and written components.

Leaders should recognize and promote internal talent for growth.

It's important to provide resources for team members transitioning to management.

Just because something works for one person, doesn't mean it will work for another. As a coach, Mila Bassett helps people to come up with their own strategies for being more effective.In this episode of NeuroConversant Leadership, Jeremy Doran interviews Mila Bassett, a neurodiversity coach, about her journey from project management to coaching, driven by personal experiences with neurodiversity in her family. They discuss the challenges and strengths of neurodivergent individuals, particularly in the tech industry, and the importance of self-advocacy and personalized strategies for success.Learn more about Mila at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/milabassett or

https://www.MilaBassettCoaching.com

Takeaways

• Neurodiversity encompasses various neurochemical differences affecting how people function.
• Mila Bassett transitioned from project management to neurodiversity coaching due to personal experiences.
• Coaching focuses on helping clients discover personalized strategies for success.
• ADHD is often misunderstood as a lack of attention rather than a focus on different interests.
• Self-advocacy is crucial for neurodivergent individuals to thrive in personal and professional settings.
• Hyperfocus can be both a strength and a challenge for those with ADHD.
• Creativity and innovation are often linked to neurodivergent individuals.
• Diversity in teams, including neurodiversity, enhances innovation and development.
• Personalized strategies, like tracking challenges, help manage ADHD effectively.
• Effective communication involves asking what support is needed rather than making assumptions.

Takeaways

Many managers are introverted and need to spend time talking with others or are logical people who need to address emotional issues. Just because those things aren't your tendency, doesn't mean you can't do them. It just takes some extra thought and attention.

Chapters

00:00 The 80-20 Rule in Leadership

02:33 Navigating Introversion and Logic in Management

03:10 Advice for introverted people

03:58 Advice for extroverted people

04:38 Make people feel seen and heard

05:09 Advice for logical people

05:44 Advice for feeling people

06:16 The advice is the same for both types of people!

07:05 Feedback please!

Takeaways

Introversion and logic can pose challenges in leadership.

Engaging with employees is crucial for effective management.

Structure in conversations helps facilitate communication.

Employees who feel seen and heard are more productive.

Emotional engagement is important for logical thinkers.

Address both logical and emotional aspects in discussions.

Recognizing core values aids in effective communication.

Flexibility in leadership is essential for growth.

Finding common ground enhances team dynamics.