Entrepreneurs on Fire What Tighe Burke Learned from Interviewing 1,000 CEO's
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Feb 11, 2026 Tighe Burke, founder of SRCH who recruits CEOs and operators for growth-stage companies, joins to unpack leadership and hiring for $5–$50M businesses. He contrasts performance-based upside with entitlement pay. He explains how leaders who say "we" differ from those who say "I." He reveals the rule: if you have doubts about a hire, stop and rethink.
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Performance Over Entitlement
- Proven CEOs bet on performance-based upside because they know the levers that drive results.
- Unproven candidates seek guaranteed pay due to uncertainty about delivering outcomes.
Rick vs. Melissa Compensation Example
- Ty contrasts two CEO candidates: Rick wanted a modest base and upside, Melissa wanted high guaranteed pay.
- Rick's attitude showed confidence from prior success while Melissa's request revealed downside protection needs.
Language Reveals Leadership
- Great operators use 'we' and 'our' because they credit their teams and show security.
- Leaders who default to 'I' and 'my' often overstate personal contribution and reveal insecurity.
