"My role is catching the ideas and making them happen."
Stephanie Unwin, President Veronica Beard
Building a successful company requires more than just a bold vision—it demands strategic execution. Founders bring passion, creativity, and clarity of purpose, but translating that into a scalable, sustainable business is no small feat.
How do you align a founder’s vision with the operational realities of growth, market shifts, and financial sustainability?
In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I sit down with Stephanie Unwin, President of Veronica Beard. Stephanie is a seasoned executive working in founder-led companies and we explore this critical balance. Stephanie shares her firsthand insights on working alongside visionary founders, bridging the gap between ambition and execution, and making strategic decisions that drive long-term success.
You'll hear us discuss…
Why founders and executives must stay aligned on vision, values, and risk-taking. Whether you’re working for a founder or running a startup yourself, one of the most critical components of leadership is alignment. Stephanie dives deep into why executives must ensure that their vision, values, and approach to risk-taking are in sync with the founders or leadership team.
The secret to balancing high-energy execution with moments of clarity. Leading a company often feels like an unending sprint. While constant action and execution are important, Stephanie explains how never taking a step back to pause and think can lead to burnout, decision fatigue, and reactive leadership.
The underestimated power of trusting your team and leveraging their insights. No leader has all the answers, and the most effective leaders are those who recognize the importance of collective intelligence. Stephanie highlights how fostering a culture where team members feel empowered to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and contribute to strategic discussions can greatly enhance decision-making.
How to navigate change without losing sight of the bigger picture. The business world is in a constant state of flux—markets shift, technologies evolve, and customer demands change. Leaders who resist change or get bogged down by every shift risk falling behind. Stephanie shares her approach to staying agile, adapting to changes, and continuously innovating without compromising the company's core mission and values.
Why carving out time to think is not a “nice to have”—it’s a leadership necessity. As an executive, it’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of daily demands—meetings, emails, and urgent decisions that take up most of your day. However, without setting aside dedicated time to reflect, refine strategy, and gather your thoughts, leaders risk losing sight of the bigger picture.
Navigating the dynamic relationship between founders and executives requires alignment, trust, and a shared commitment to both vision and adaptability.
Stephanie’s insights remind us that leadership isn’t just about driving results—it’s about cultivating the right relationships and conversations, making space for strategic thinking, and staying true to the mission while embracing change.
🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear more about how to balance founder passion with business pragmatism—and how leaders can create the space to think, reflect, and execute effectively.
You’re always welcome to take a seat at the table—where every conversation has the potential for transformative change.
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