Month in Review: March 2025
This monthly email is a simple way to catch up or refresh your memory on events, new members, and conversations from the Enrich community - here's March’s month-in-review.
🚀 Join us in Slack!
We have moved our always-on community space from WhatsApp to Slack - join us!
We hope this transition enables a smoother onboarding experience, better member profiles, even more async conversations, and easier 1:1 messaging with fellow Enrich members.
🗣️ Enrich Conversations
Our curated conversations are a great way to learn how your peers are tackling the same challenges and questions you face. Here's the quick takeaways from March’s conversations.
Working at a Private Equity-Backed Company | Colt Stander, CPO of Presence
PE firms typically hold a majority stake, take a hands-on approach, and work closely with executives, often through direct access to senior partners.
Their focus is on scalable, predictable growth and operational efficiency rather than the high-risk, high-reward bets common in VC.
A 3–7 year exit timeline shapes strategic decisions and drives urgency across the business.
Hiring for VP or C-suite roles often signals a need for turnaround or restructuring, with results expected in ~18 months.
PE-backed companies occupy a middle ground between startups and public firms, requiring leaders who can navigate both growth and discipline.
Link to graphics shared during presentation
AMA with Pedro Canahuati, CTO of 1 Password
As leadership responsibilities grow, effective delegation and empowering others become essential, especially for VP and CTO-level roles expanding beyond technical scopes.
AI can boost productivity by automating tasks, but leaders must understand its limitations and address privacy concerns for secure enterprise use.
One Password is exploring client-side AI to enhance productivity while preserving encryption and user privacy.
Balancing innovation with security is key, new technologies require thoughtful evaluation, not just CEO-driven enthusiasm.
Shifting to stream-aligned teams has improved cross-functional collaboration, with written feedback and performance reviews supporting team accountability.
Andy Dunn, Co-Founder Bonobos | From $310M Exit to Author to Founder
Link to recording here
Candor often outweighs harmony, clear, honest conversations prevent bigger issues and set the tone for healthy team dynamics.
The need to be liked and unchecked empathy can drain leaders; balancing authenticity with emotional boundaries is crucial.
Disagreements should be met with curiosity, not defensiveness, encouraging dissent fosters innovation and better decision-making.
As teams grow, social dynamics shift; leaders must be intentional about culture and communication, especially beyond ~40 people.
Choosing between passion and profit is a real leadership dilemma, sometimes, taking the leap matters more than guaranteed success.
Resources Shared:
Pattern Breakers: Why Some Start-Ups Change the Future by Mike Maples Jr.
Fortune: Founders – Answer These 2 Questions Before Saying Yes to an Investor.
