Eight No Bullshit Lessons I Learned as CEO in Neo Vision’s Wildest Year Yet: 2023

2023 has been one heck of a ride at Neo Vision. This wasn’t just another year; it was a crash course in the real-world stuff they don’t teach you in business school. We’ve learned the hard way about rolling with the punches, staying true to our grind, and the real deal behind leading a team. It’s been raw, genuine, and transformative.

Here Are the Eight No Bullshit Lessons I Learned as CEO in Neo Vision’s Wildest Year Yet: 2023

1. The Myth of Irreplaceability: This year proved that nobody on the team is irreplaceable. Seeing important people leave was tough, but less disruptive than I feared. I’ve learned that expecting everyone to align with my vision and values fully isn’t realistic. Loyalty varies, and so do goals. The key is our core values. With these intact, we can rebuild effectively, and nothing vital is lost.
   
   
2. Slow to Hire, Quick to Fire: This year reinforced a crucial hiring principle for us. In a small team like ours, every member counts massively. So, we take our time bringing people on board. But if someone isn’t meeting expectations consistently, we’ve learned to act quickly. It’s tough, but lingering in the hope of improvement or delaying the inevitable doesn’t help anyone – not the team, not the company, and not even the person who’s struggling.
   
   
3. Preventing Misunderstandings Among Executives: Throughout 2023, we learned that as CEO, COO, and CTO, we need to keep talking and keep things transparent. Regularly clarifying our roles and what we expect from each other prevents a lot of headaches. If we put off these talks, misunderstandings grow, and they become harder to fix. Clear, frequent communication has been essential in keeping our leadership team on the same page.
   
   
4. Resilience in Adversity: This year was a test of our strength. With the world in economic uncertainty, tech companies laying off staff, and a downturn in investments, the challenges were real. However, we didn’t just survive; we held our ground. We kept every team member on board and followed through with salary raises for our developers. While we pass on dividends this time, it’s a strategic move that places us in a strong position for 2024. We’re not going anywhere.
   
   
5. Adaptable Approach to Partnerships: In 2023, we learned to mirror the treatment we receive from our partners. It’s okay to lead with generosity, but we must know where to draw the line. Clinging to partnerships that worked well in the past isn’t always beneficial. As our company and our needs evolve, we recognize that it’s healthy to reevaluate and, if necessary, end partnerships when our visions no longer align.
   
   
6. Staying True to Personal Commitments: This year made it clear that how we manage our personal lives directly impacts our work. I noticed that whenever I neglected my health routine, it didn’t just make me feel bad physically; it also shook my confidence in my work. Doubts crept in, and my trust in my own decisions wavered. It all comes down to this: the commitments we make to ourselves are as important as our business goals.
   
   
7. Value in Personal Involvement: 2023 was a reminder for us at Neo Vision not to get lost in creating processes for everything. The essence of what makes us stand out is the direct input from myself, Teo, and Andrei on various projects. Turning everything into a standardized process could lead us down a path where we lose our uniqueness and blend into the crowd. It’s crucial to preserve that personal touch, which is at the heart of our value proposition.
   
   
8. Building Leaders One at a Time: One of my main takeaways from 2023 is the need to replicate my leadership style within the team. The approach is simple yet profound: select someone you utterly trust and invest heavily in their growth. To scale Neo Vision effectively, we need more than just more people; we need more leaders. And that’s a process that works best on a one-on-one basis. It’s an investment, not just in the person, but in the future of our entire company.
   
   

Closing a Remarkable Year: As 2023 comes to a close, we’re not quite where we want to be, but we’ve made tremendous strides. We’re looking at the biggest pipeline in our history – almost $5 million in potential projects. I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to all my colleagues for sticking with us through this tumultuous year. Your commitment to our shared goals, hard work, and willingness to grow have been instrumental. I regret not having more one-on-one time with each of you, but rest assured, your efforts have propelled us to this point. Great things are on the horizon, and I’m grateful for your trust in our (neo) vision.

Read the full article here: https://neovision.substack.com/p/23-lessons-we-learned-at-neo-vision