Peace Time CEO vs War Time CEO

Summary

• I've learned that as a leader, you'll play different roles depending on the company's phase; there's a distinction between a peacetime CEO and a wartime CEO.
• During peacetime when the market isn't competitive and the company is stable, I focus on the company's growth, employee career paths, and cultivating our culture.
• In contrast, as a wartime CEO, when the market is tough and we're in startup or growth mode, I adapt to being more like a general, driving my team with urgency.
• I recognize that in saturated markets or startup phases, the energy for development work is scarcer, requiring a shift in focus.
• My role as a leader is to effectively steer the team through different seasons, ensuring we advance to the next level whatever the circumstance.

Video

How To Take Action

A good way of doing things when times are calm and steady is to focus on growth and your team's happiness. Look for ways to help your team grow in their jobs and make the workplace feel good for everyone. That might mean teaching new skills or making sure people know how much you appreciate their work.

Now, if the times get tough, like when there's a lot of competition or we're just starting out, you switch gears. Be like a coach in a big game – clear and strong about what needs to happen. This could be sitting down with your team and making a plan that everyone understands and can work towards.

I would suggest looking at your market to figure out if it's "peacetime" or "wartime" for you. If it's peacetime, use this chance to build things up without pressure. If it's wartime, don't be shy to lead with more urgency.

Remember, your main job is to help your team get to the next level. Whether that means nurturing them in peacetime or guiding them through wartime, it's about adapting to what's needed right then. Keep an eye out for what your business and team need and be ready to switch up your style as things change.

Quotes by Leila Hormozi

"There's peace time and wartime peacetime CEO is different than wartime CEO"

– Leila Hormozi

"You're focusing on growth and development, you're focusing on Career pathing, you're focusing on culture"

– Leila Hormozi

"When a business is in startup mode in growth mode, there's changes in the market"

– Leila Hormozi

"The Market's getting saturated, you don't have as much energy for some of those things"

– Leila Hormozi

"I am a leader therefore I will lead in whatever way is needed to get this team to the next level"

– Leila Hormozi

Full Transcript

Ben Horwitz says this there's peace time and wartime peacetime CEO is different than wartime CEO you know when you're in a period of reaping the fruits of your labor there's not Market competition the Market's not saturated I would say that's peace time you're focusing on growth and development you're focusing on Career pathing you're focusing on culture and all these things whereas when a business is in startup mode in growth mode there's changes in the market the Market's getting saturated you don't have as much energy for some of those things and so you have to put on like your wartime General hat where you're in go mode you're pushing people you're explaining like this is what we have to do to get the business out of the Season or get it to the next level I am a leader therefore I will lead in whatever way is needed to get this team to the next level