Cynthia Hutton’s Post

In 2018, at 25, Alex Pettigrew taught himself how to code and landed his first job as a software developer at Venture Capital software company. By 2024, the Founder & CEO of the company recommended Alex to become the CEO, just 3 years after he had joined as a frontline trooper. While good fortune plays a part, he claims the foundation of this journey is the principle of Extreme Ownership. By working hard at every opportunity, Alex gained ownership of more and more responsibility. Through Jocko Willink’s framework of leadership capital, he applied the indirect approach at every turn. His ownership grew to span the results of the entire organization. "As I began to test the principles of Extreme Ownership in both my personal and professional life, I quickly came to see the positive impact. My relationships, attitude, professional success and development, and every aspect of life became better. Along the journey, I've been humbled by the patience and support of my teammates, who I am now blessed with the opportunity to lead. What excites me the most about this journey is the fact that it has just begun." Congratulations, Alex Pettigrew, on successfully applying these principles and becoming a leader. #leadershipdevelopment #promoted #SoftwareDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment

The good grind. 🚀My inaugural week as COO for a tech startup I was buzzing with excitement! My attention was primarily directed towards grasping the team dynamics and identifying pressing operational issues. A significant part of my week involved immersing myself in conversations and meetings, requesting artifacts, and starting to delve into their operational systems. The key deliverable for week one was creating the first draft of the OKRs based on things I learned. Getting that down on paper lead to some great conversations and decision making to move the needle. How did you approach your initial weeks in a leadership position? #NewBeginnings #TechLeadership 📣no sound, just be babbling about my new job.

In my journey, I've realized the incredible importance of mentorship, family, fellowship, and the value of learning from others. It's not just about achieving goals; it's about who you surround yourself with and who you allow to influence and guide you. I've had the privilege of connecting with some truly remarkable people who have shared their wisdom, experiences, and insights with me. These relationships have been invaluable in shaping my path and helping me grow both personally and professionally. Yesterday we hit the jackpot. Rich deep dialogue and a great cigar were the backdrop...These folks filled in the blanks So, I want to ask you: Who are you talking to? We all need to have very private, thought-provoking conversations or need to ask difficult questions that are not meant for all ears, just those that can offer you a unique perspective about who you are, what you do, and how you do it. Remember, success is a team effort. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, inspire you, and push you to reach new heights. And don't forget to pay it forward by mentoring others along the way. Keep growing, keep learning, and keep feeding off the incredible energy and wisdom of those around you!!! . . #modernbusiness #bizdev #pipeline #growth #coaching

Are you navigating through uncertainty right now? You're actually in a prime position for unprecedented growth. Uncertainty isn't just a barrier; it's a launchpad. Taking these moments seriously is key. Rather than rushing for the nearest exit, face the unknown with purpose. Advancing without a preset plan often leads us to achieve beyond our expectations. Capitalize on this opportunity and transform uncertainty into success. Victoria Labalme #GrowthMindset #LeadershipDevelopment #EmbraceChange #NavigatingUncertainty

Navigating the journey as a first-time CEO comes with its unique set of challenges. Remember, every obstacle is a chance for profound growth and learning. Embrace each challenge as a stepping stone toward realizing your vision. Here's to conquering hurdles and transforming them into opportunities! 💼✨ #LeadershipJourney #CEOInsights #GrowthMindset #coactivecoaching #leadershipdevelopment

🚀 Elevating to New Heights! 🌟 Sharing some game-changing news—I'm stepping up the professional ladder with a promotion that has my excitement levels through the roof! 🎉 No clichéd opening lines here—diving straight into the heart of it. This journey has been a rollercoaster of challenges, victories, and countless growth moments. From navigating uncharted territories to collaborating with an incredible team, each step has been a lesson in resilience and determination. Embarking on this new chapter, I can't help but reflect on the collective effort, late-night brainstorming sessions, and the unwavering support from mentors and colleagues. This achievement isn't just mine—it's a testament to the power of teamwork and shared ambitions. To everyone who has been a part of this expedition, thank you for the inspiration, encouragement, and occasional coffee-fueled pep talks. You've been the wind beneath my wings, and I'm beyond grateful for each of you. As I take on this new role, my commitment to innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement remains steadfast. Let's turn the page together and script a narrative of success, growth, and shared accomplishments. Here's to the next chapter, the next challenge, and the next triumph! 🚀✨ #CareerMilestone #PromotionJourney #NewBeginnings #LeadDev #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork

Just because the past didn't turn out as you wanted doesn't mean the future can't be better than you ever imagined! Think of it like a puzzle. Sometimes, pieces don't fit as planned, but with patience and persistence, you can create a new picture - even more beautiful than before! Don't let past disappointments define your future. Instead, use them as stepping stones to something greater. Speaking of future, what’s in store for the next 7 days? New week, new opportunities! As a leader you know that every week brings a fresh start to crush your targets, motivate your team, and drive revenue growth. But it's not just about numbers - it's about the people you impact, the relationships you build, and the success stories you create. So, what's your game plan for this week? What strategies will you deploy, and how will you empower your team to succeed? Share your top sales tip or goal for the week in the comments below! Let's make this week count and set the stage for a record-breaking month! #FutureIsBright #NewBeginnings #Hope #Resilience #GrowthMindset #PositiveVibes #Inspiration #Motivation #Salesleader #NewWeek #SalesMotivation #Leadership #TeamWork #SalesSuccess #GrowthMindset

Wow, 7 years and counting. Reflecting on the journey over a drink with Greg Mohn 🥃 brought back memories of scaling a successful business at Surfacequest and launching a new product and brand at AquaWalls. Over the years, I've amassed numerous values and principles for business. Here are 7 that resonate with me: 1. 🙋🏻♂️ Leadership Culture: Create a culture where leadership is encouraged at all levels of the organization. 2. 👥 People First: Take care of your people and be a good human. 3. ⭐️ Always Positive: Surround yourself with positive, innovative, people and distance yourself from toxic, closed-minded, people. 4. 💨 Speed & Collaboration: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Both approaches are necessary depending on the situation. Know when to run a solo sprint versus a team relay. 5. 🚀 Start Now: Just get started. Don’t stress about perfection before launching new products, services, or ideas. You’ll never get the rocket off the pad if you try to work out every finite detail. Often, the final improvements come from client feedback during the early adopter phase. 6. 🍀 The Formula for Luck: Discipline, Actions, and Behaviors create luck. 7. 🔎 Client Focus: Become a “trusted partner” for your clients and help them solve their problems even if it doesn’t include your product or service…be a great connector. Here's to many more years of growth and learning! #businessgrowth #milestone #reflection

Are You a Spock or a Kirk When It Comes to Decision-Making? 🤔🖖 For those who don't know, I’m a massive Trekkie! 🖖 Last night I was watching TOS (the old one yeah!) and it got me thinking... Let's take a trip to the final frontier and dive into the decision-making styles of two iconic characters from the original Star Trek series: Captain Kirk and Spock. Spock vs. Kirk: A Tale of Two Decision-Makers Spock: Logical, analytical, and methodical. Spock weighs up every situation with precision, ensuring every decision is backed by data and logic. This often leads to well-thought-out choices but can sometimes slow down action due to over-analysis 🧠🖖 Kirk: Intuitive, bold, and decisive. Kirk trusts his gut instincts, makes quick decisions, and goes all in. His style is dynamic and often yields immediate results, but it also involves risks that might not be thoroughly calculated 💥🚀 My Struggle: Balancing Spock and Kirk In both life and business, I find myself torn between these two approaches. Like Spock, I value logic and analysis, wanting to ensure that every decision is the right one. But this often leads to analysis paralysis, where opportunities slip by because I’m too busy weighing the options!! Can't just be me... On the other hand, I admire Kirk’s ability to live in the moment, trust his instincts, and take bold actions. There’s a certain freedom and excitement in just going for it and dealing with the consequences as they come!! My Conclusion: Embracing the Kirk Within I’ve realised that sometimes, I need to be more like Kirk. To live in the moment, trust my gut, and just go for it!! While logic and analysis are important, they shouldn’t hold me back from taking bold actions and seizing opportunities. It’s time to balance the logical Spock within me with the daring Kirk and go all in! 🖖🚀 So, what about you? Who do you most relate to when making decisions in life and in business? Does your decision-making style differ between personal and professional settings? 🤔 Let’s get a discussion going! Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below 👇 #DecisionMaking #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #StarTrek #GutInstincts #BoldDecisions #LinkedInCommunity

"Did you know that a software developer's exit could be your entrance...to growth? 🚪➡️🌱 One of your top performers, let’s call her Pia, comes to you with an offer from another team. You've been fighting for her in talent reviews and shielding her from organizational nonsense. And here she is, ready to leave. Feels like a betrayal, right? Wrong. Turns out, Pia’s exit can be a goldmine of insights if you approach it the right way. It's not about cajoling her into staying or feeling bruised. It's about listening, learning, and leveraging her feedback for your future management strategies. When Pia tells you she's leaving, ask her why. Listen to her concerns. Don't try to fix things. Just hear her out. Her candid feedback can reveal your blind spots and show you ways you might be unintentionally harming your team. Remember, you're not just losing a team member; you're gaining knowledge that can help you build a stronger, more cohesive team in the future. So, next time a 'Pia' decides to leave, don't see it as a setback. See it as a setup for your next big leap in leadership!" If you got value from this, please follow me! I write daily about engineering management, team dynamics, and processes needed to build engaged and successful teams. #EngineeringManagement #Leadership #EmployeeRetention #TeamBuilding