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BUSINESS TIPS

10 leadership ideas to manage your company

BDC Capital invited Pascale Audette, CEO of Carebook 10. Don’t rethink your entire business plan after a single
Technologies Inc., to share her experiences about leadership at failure
a BDC sponsored boot camp, hosted at Startupfest in Montreal. When you fail, allow yourself to move forward. Challenge
The more than 200 women who attended the bootcamp learned yourself, but not to a degree that you are always rethinking and

from Pascale’s failures and successes leading different teams analyzing what you are doing. Instead, look for solutions and
at different organizations. She has served in various roles, implement them.

including Vice-President of Global Operations at Disney Online
Studios, leading her own company, and now as a CEO.
Here are some of Pascale’s leadership tips: Qualities of a good mentor
1. Don’t be afraid to follow your gut A good mentor acts as a sounding board for your business
When you start building teams and companies, you need to ideas and concerns, holds you accountable for your
believe wholeheartedly in your business model, product, and commitments and provides you with encouragement and
people. There may not be a lot of industry information or wise advice when you need it.
historical metrics, but if you’ve got the vision, passion, and
good instincts, you’ll have a greater chance of success. So, what kind of a person should you seek in a mentor?
Here are few qualities to look for.
2. Think about where the business is going, not only where you

are going 1. Someone who's a good fit for you
Your efforts should always consider that you are part of a team. If your company is in the start-up phase, you should be

Often in business, it’s easy to lean towards accomplishing your looking for a successful entrepreneur with a broad range
own business goals, but if you have partners, always consider of business knowledge and skills.
them and the larger vision. 2. Someone who will be available
3. Lead with intent and create a team culture that resonates Veteran mentor Ryan Jackson, former Entrepreneur in
with your values Residence at Medicine Hat College, says it's important

Know yourself, hold tight to your values, believe your vision, to find a mentor who will be there to talk to you on a
and be true to them all. At the end of the day, build a company regular basis.
that resembles you—your employees will follow both the values 3. Someone who's a good listener
and the vision. Your mentor isn't there to solve your problems. Instead,
4. When hiring, always think long-term he or she should help you to think through your

An employee can wear many hats when your company is just challenges and find your own answers. That's how you
starting up, but they may be suited to take a leadership role like learn to be a better entrepreneur.
your VP, Product, in the long run. When hiring, try to foresee how 4. Someone with a positive attitude
people will be able to grow, change, and adapt. A mentor's role in encouraging you and building your

5. Don’t wait to launch a prototype confidence is crucial.
Many start-ups love to take a long time to develop and want to 5. Someone with an open mind
make things perfect. Launch the product as soon as you can, get Ryan Jackson says entrepreneurs accumulate “battle
feedback, and adjust as needed. scars” over the years—attitudes that reflect their own

6. Don’t make all the decisions business experiences.
Strive to build an organizational culture where everyone 6. Someone who will treat you as an equal
feels comfortable expressing opinions, sharing ideas, solving You're looking for someone who will be in your corner
challenges, and making decisions. Embrace the idea that you’ve and give you support and advice when you need it. You're
hired great people—and listen to what they have to say. not looking for a boss.
7. Mentorship is important 7. Someone who won't pull punches
Just reach out and ask! People like to talk about what they While you want a good listener, you also need a person
are doing, and it’s great to give your people a chance to have who can help you to make a tough decision when
mentors and also to be mentors. necessary.
8. Utilize “service-leadership”
Put yourself at the service of your employees, and always serve
the vision of your company.
9. To empower people, you need to know what they want
Empower and engage with your people. Take a genuine interest
in them and their lives, get to know them, but don’t become
their best friends. Sometimes, come performance review time,
there may be a conflict of interest.

38 Winter 2024 www.cambridgechamber.com