244: From Founder to CEO: Startup Rhythm and Leadership Lessons with Leslie Fine
Release Date: 04/01/2025
250: Leading Through Change
Leading Women in Tech Podcast
What if change is the moment you’ve been preparing for as a leader? The best leaders don’t just survive change—they harness it to propel themselves and their teams forward. In a world where change is constant, your ability to lead through it isn’t just valuable—it’s vital. How you respond to change can either reinforce trust, inspire action, and spark innovation… or leave your team drifting. In this episode, I unpack why change isn’t something to dread—but something to embrace. You'll discover how to recognize resistance (in yourself and others), reframe your mindset around...
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249: The Preparation Playbook: How to Prepare for Senior Leadership in Tech with Chaitra Vedullapalli
Leading Women in Tech Podcast
Could your next big career move be one preparation habit away? Most people plan for leadership—but the ones who actually get there prepare differently. In this episode, Chaitra Vedullapalli—tech executive, entrepreneur, and President of Women in Cloud—breaks down what it really takes to rise into senior leadership roles like VP or GM in the tech world. From building business acumen to learning how to self-advocate without losing your authenticity, Chaitra shares the preparation playbook that helped her lead transformative initiatives and open economic access for thousands of women....
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248: Recognizing the Signs: Identifying Early Indicators of Burnout
Leading Women in Tech Podcast
Are you silently burning out—and don’t even realize it? Burnout isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s the quiet fatigue, the creeping cynicism, or the missed moments of joy that tell the real story. Whether you're a woman in tech leadership, or someone simply trying to do it all, this episode is your wake-up call. I’m breaking down the early emotional, physical, behavioral, cognitive, and workplace signs of burnout—and more importantly, how to address them before they lead to long-term damage. Plus, I debunk the myth that burnout means you’re not strong enough—it actually means...
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247: What’s Holding You Back? Mary Rombaut on Solving the Barriers to Your Next Big Step
Leading Women in Tech Podcast
Wondering if it’s time to leave your job, launch your business, or finally take that big leap? In this powerful episode, I talk with Mary Rombaut, startup founder and working mom of three, about how to overcome fear, escape toxic work environments, and take bold, intentional steps in your career. Within just 12 months, Mary made two major career changes while raising young children—and built her company Recommenda to help entrepreneurs make smarter marketing tech decisions. We explore how to let go of what’s no longer serving you, how to balance career and personal life, and how to move...
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246: Leading with Humanity: Jen Croneberger on Relational Leadership in a High-Tech World
Leading Women in Tech Podcast
In times of uncertainty and change, how do we lead in a way that keeps people at the center? With shifting workplace dynamics, evolving leadership expectations, and constant pressure to adapt to the high-tech world, it’s easy to get caught up in the mechanics of leadership and forget the human side of it. In this conversation, I sit down with Jen Croneberger, an expert in relational leadership, to talk about what it really takes to build strong, connected teams. She introduces her BRAVE methodology—belonging, resilience, authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy—and shares why these...
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245: Are You Accidentally a Passive-Aggressive Leader?
Leading Women in Tech Podcast
Could your leadership style be unintentionally sabotaging your team's success? Leadership isn’t just about giving orders—it’s about fostering trust, respect, and open communication. But what if your well-meaning approach is actually damaging team morale and productivity without you even realizing it? In this eye-opening episode, I reveal the 9 subtle yet destructive passive-aggressive leadership behaviors that could be eroding your team's effectiveness. Learn how these hidden habits affect workplace dynamics and gain practical strategies to shift from indirect communication to authentic,...
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244: From Founder to CEO: Startup Rhythm and Leadership Lessons with Leslie Fine
Leading Women in Tech Podcast
Have you ever wondered what separates a great founder from a great CEO? Or how some startups seem to move effortlessly while others struggle to find their footing? In this episode, I sit down with Leslie Fine, Managing Partner at Enjoy The Work, to unpack the transition from founder to CEO. Leslie shares hard-earned lessons from her own journey—starting in academia and moving into startup leadership—and reveals the essential skills every aspiring CEO needs. From mastering the rhythm of a startup to navigating fundraising and leadership challenges, this episode is packed with insights for...
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243: Struggling to Be Heard? Master Leadership Communication Strategies and Coach Upwards
Leading Women in Tech Podcast
Are you struggling to feel heard in meetings and frustrated by misaligned conversations with your boss or team? In a world where 70% of workplace mistakes stem from communication breakdowns, your voice isn't just a tool—it's your leadership superpower. But if you’re not using it effectively, you risk misalignment, micromanagement, and stalled progress. In this episode, I dive into the strategies you need to master leadership communication, coach upwards, and navigate challenging workplace dynamics. You'll hear about Sarah, a leader who transformed her relationship with a micromanaging boss...
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242: Turning Imposter Syndrome into Your Secret Weapon
Leading Women in Tech Podcast
Struggling with imposter syndrome? You’re not alone. Many high-achievers experience self-doubt, but what if imposter syndrome wasn’t a weakness—but a hidden strength? In this episode, I explore how to reframe imposter syndrome as your superpower and how this surprising tool can help you with career growth, resilience, and innovation. Learn how to shift your mindset, overcome perfectionism, and use imposter syndrome to fuel success rather than fear. Whether you're dealing with self-doubt at work, in leadership, or in creative pursuits, these strategies will help you turn imposter syndrome...
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241: Thinking Like an Executive: Setting Priorities as an Executive
Leading Women in Tech Podcast
Have you ever wondered how executives spend their time? Early in our careers, it’s easy to assume they just sit in meetings and make decisions from the sidelines. But as you move up, you quickly realize that great leadership isn’t about doing individual tasks—it’s about setting the vision, making strategic decisions, and enabling your team to execute effectively. In today’s episode, I break down what high-performing executives actually spend their time on and how you can start thinking like one—whether you're an aspiring leader or already in an executive role. I dive into: ...
info_outlineHave you ever wondered what separates a great founder from a great CEO? Or how some startups seem to move effortlessly while others struggle to find their footing?
In this episode, I sit down with Leslie Fine, Managing Partner at Enjoy The Work, to unpack the transition from founder to CEO. Leslie shares hard-earned lessons from her own journey—starting in academia and moving into startup leadership—and reveals the essential skills every aspiring CEO needs. From mastering the rhythm of a startup to navigating fundraising and leadership challenges, this episode is packed with insights for women in tech who are ready to take the leap into leadership.
"Every CEO was a first-time CEO once. Leadership is a craft. It's a learnable skill. People talk about leadership like it's some mystical quality that you either have or you don't, but it's something you can learn and improve." – Leslie Fine
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The key differences between a founder and a CEO—and why mastering both is crucial
- The three pillars of leadership every startup CEO must develop
- How to set clear goals and lead with accountability
- Why understanding the rhythm of a startup is essential for scaling successfully
- The five major phases of a startup and how to act stage-appropriately
- How to decide if venture capital is the right fit for your business
- The three main jobs of a CEO that define long-term success
After listening to this episode, take a moment to reflect: Are you operating as a founder or truly stepping into the role of a CEO?
Write down the three biggest leadership skills you need to develop to take your startup to the next level. Share your insights with us on LinkedIn or Instagram, and tag me—I’d love to hear your takeaways!
**Useful links**
- Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Leslie Fine:
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lfine
- Website: enjoythework.com
- Enjoy The Work:
- Leslie’s current read: Quit by Annie Duke
- If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy
- Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode244
- Check us out on Youtube.
- Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.
This episode was sponsored by our guest, Leslie Fine of Enjoy The Work. Thank you Leslie for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!