Transitioning from Individual Contributor to Manager

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #266: Ryan Caldbeck - CircleUp CEO: How To Build The Frameworks Of Your Life & Career

We are hosting a workshop on developing YOUR personal excellence as a leader. For details and availability, go to RyanHawk.me

The Learning Leader Show

"What we look for in a person: Horsepower, Integrity, Work Ethic, Teamwork, Pride."

Show Notes:

• Sustaining excellence:
  • Persistence - regardless of skill, willing to run through unlimited doors with no light at the end of the tunnel. It can be soul crushing
  • Identified focus passion - an understanding of the passion that is identifiable.
  • Drive - A motor. Really good at email and/or communication. Can't take too long. "Have a motor." Always moving
  • Values - "I don't say that lightly." You can't sustain excellence without values. "A framework to understand you."
• Isn't it hard to know what your passion is? "Yes. I got scared about the treadmill that I saw others get on." However, people don't think they can leave the corporate job that pays well. But you can. Begin by thinking about the framework to make it happen.
• "Silicon Valley is a hard town to talk about challenges."
• What it's like to lead 60 employees
• What mistakes were made in the hiring process?
  • "We took too long to make frameworks."
  • "Frameworks show others what to do."
• What traits/values do you look for in hiring?
  • "The airport test doesn't make sense to me. I don't have to want to spend a day around them in the airport."
  • "We have crystallized what we look for in a person."
    • Horsepower - intelligence over experience
    • Integrity - don't talk negatively about others
    • Work ethic - must be willing to work hard
    • Teamwork - need to work well with others
    • Pride - Care
• How to gauge work ethic in a job interview?
  • "It starts with everyone knowing we are looking for that."
• Advice for the individual contributor making the leap to manager...
  • "Figure out framework for your specific role. Get clarity on what each person's role is."
  • "Learn how to develop empathy for what your team goes through. Sit with them without micromanaging them."
  • "Make sure you have a resource (person) to talk to about being a manager. Hire a coach. Get a peer group outside of your company."
• Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
• Ryan has a coach and a group of 12 CEO's that he meets with regularly
• Building culture:
  • Focus on your mission
    • "To help entrepreneurs thrive by giving them the capital and resources they need."
• Their Values:
  • Do it right
  • Be brave
  • Be a solution
• Constantly reinforce the vision
• Most useful advice:
  • Winston Churchill - "Never give up."
  • "Do what you're passionate about"
• How to have balance at home?
  • Two kids and his wife is a senior leader at her company
  • Mediation after the kids go to bed
  • Online working from 8:30-10:00
  • Spend time with spouse only
• Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"If you don't keep growing, you will become irrelevant."

Social Media:

• Read Ryan's tweet storms: @ryan_caldbeck
• Connect with me on LinkedIn
• Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
• To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 234: Jocko Willink -- Why Discipline Equals Freedom