🚀✉️ Leading diverse teams
Your five minute mentor is John Mark Eberhardt, CEO of bluField and bluField's product Stroll.
Part of creating a successful business has to do with building the right team. I recently started a gardening class and learned on the first day that when one type of plant becomes popular, professional gardeners worry because insects that destroy that plant have more of that same kind of plant to live on and eat from and reproduce. A monoculture in business can be similar. If everyone thinks the same, has the same background, same talents, same point of view, with a similar story, the same ideas create blindspots that can kill a business. Great teams bring strong perspectives to the table. What can you do today to be a better leader for diverse teams? John Mark recommends to start with being intentional, approaching your role as a leader with a servant-leader attitude. Creating a win-win for your company and our ecosystem is as easy as listening. When you choose to lift up the voices of your team, you in-turn create a better world for your colleagues and community. He put it best, "Let's all party together."
Stroll is a patented, location-based marketing platform designed specifically for tourism, engaging visitors and local residents, while sparking local economic development.
Recent Achievement:
John Mark is a graduate of Founder Gym. The inaugural FG Cohort debuted in January 2018. Since then, 385 founders spanning 20 countries and 6 continents have graduated and gone on to raise over $40 million in startup capital. FG Graduates reside in Australia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories, Spain, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
Meet your five minute mentor, John Mark Eberhardt, CEO of bluField, the maker of location-based marketing app called Stroll.
Since the Southeast is emerging in more technology investments, I'd like for Nashville to lead the way for our state, in terms of creating more diverse investments in technology beyond healthcare and music.
There's a great deal of innovation and talent in Nashville. Like Birmingham, let's be more intentional about technology investments.
I don't believe leadership can be taught; however, I believe leadership skills can be enhanced. Leading diverse teams requires passion, engagement, compassion, innovation and a servant-leader heart.
During undergrad, I failed at leadership when I focused on what I wanted, but when I focused my attention to the needs of the organization and then to those who entrusted me to lead, I began to receive exponentially more from my team. I became their servant, instead of expecting them to serve me and my needs.
Last year, I suffered a great deal of loss with the business. I contemplated suicide. After seeking counseling, I also had a friend to share how his meditation practice stopped his uncontrollable seizures (he lost his job, his car and his home). Meditation was his cure, and it became mine. Through daily meditation, I'm able to quiet the noise of others, as well as the internal negativity. It's rare for me to stress out like I had prior to meditation.
Diversity. As an African American male, I represent 1% of technology startup founders in our industry. I have a patented solution that has customer demand and traction.
However, it's challenging to connect with the investment community. I'm not sure why. Nonetheless, my team and I are contributing to the economy just like our majority counterparts. Diversity of culture, perspective and gender contribute to a robust community and economic ecosystem. Let's all party together!!
I approach all business deals with a "win-win" philosophy.
Coming to the table, I know what it is that I want. So, my focus becomes learning the needs of those I provide a service for or those I collaborate with. Once I realize their need/desire, we're able to then focus on creating a mutually beneficial business relationship. Now, everyone is happy. Everyone wins, and everyone is motivated to give their all. "Win-win"
You can find John Mark on Linkedin here.
✨Shine on ✨
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LaunchLetter is a weekday newsletter from Southern/alpha, a website that features collections of stories and resources for underestimated startup communities.
LaunchLetter is for founders getting started on an idea or business. Our goal is to share the perspective, habits and positive messages of more experienced founders and CEOs. We hope you find it relatable and delightful as you get focused for the day on your own goals. To the stars!
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