Startups Decoded #58: “Founder” is a status; “CEO” is a skill you’re ignoring - Alisa Cohn.
Alisa Cohn has spent decades coaching CEOs through the moments that define their leadership: rapid growth, board pressure, and the quiet isolation of the role.
Named the #1 Startup Coach in the World by Thinkers50, Alisa has advised leaders at Venmo, Etsy, and Pfizer. In this episode, we explore why reactive management no longer works and how scaling CEOs must move from firefighting to proactive “North Star” planning as complexity increases.
This is a grounded, practical conversation about CEO craft, how to lead with intention when the stakes are high, and the answers aren’t obvious.
In This Conversation, We Cover
- The Founder-to-Leader Shift: Moving from “doer” to organizational leader.
- North Star Planning: What it actually means for early-stage CEOs.
- The Reactive Trap: Breaking the cycle of constant crisis management.
- Executive Presence: Building influence and credibility as the company grows.
- Board Dynamics: Navigating power shifts and high-stakes relationships.
- Resilience: Why self-awareness is a core leadership skill, not a soft skill.
Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction to Startup Leadership
- 02:48 The Evolution of a CEO
- 08:54 The Journey from Founder to CEO
- 11:49 Delegation and the Pain of Growth
- 18:13 Building a Scalable Culture
- 24:03 The Importance of Storytelling
- 30:09 Empowering Employees and Fostering Innovation
- 36:00 Key Takeaways from ‘From Startup to Grownup.’
Alisa is a globally recognized CEO coach and author of From Startup to Grownup. Based in New York, she advises founders and Fortune 500 executives at companies like IBM, Dell, and The New York Times. A frequent contributor to HBR and Forbes, Alisa is also an angel investor and former startup CFO.
Who Should Listen
- First-time CEOs and founders navigating leadership transitions.
- Leaders feeling stuck in reactive mode.
- Operators stepping into executive roles.
- Anyone serious about becoming a more intentional, effective CEO.
Access All Areas.
- Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTube
- Subscribe: Substack
- Community & Events: Founders Circle
- Connect: LinkedIn
- Socials: TikTok || Instagram || X
- Web: startupsdecoded.com
Music Credit
- “Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)
Filmed on location at 28th&Park. A content & production studio for New York’s visionary Builders, Investors, Artists, Musicians, & Creators to amplify their voice & share bold stories. Use the code “Decoded” for 25% off your first booking.