Suzan's Fieldnotes

Suzan's Fieldnotes explores the intricacies of organizational leadership through real-world examples, interviews, and stories. It addresses leadership challenges like navigating transitions, scaling decision-making, managing change, and fostering inclusive cultures. The Substack offers practical advice on building cohesive leadership teams, maintaining well-being, and adapting to fast-paced environments.

Leadership Development Organizational Change Decision Making Team Culture Personal Growth Inclusion and Diversity Navigating Transitions Workplace Well-being Scaling Startups Effective Communication

The hottest Substack posts of Suzan's Fieldnotes

And their main takeaways

When Orgs Become Siloed

98 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Leadership Organizational Culture Teamwork Management
  1. Leadership is a shared experience, not an individual effort. A siloed leadership team can lead to a siloed organization. To shift organizational behavior, start at the leadership layer.
  2. Signs of a siloed culture include individualism, rise of 'poop umbrellas', influence behind closed doors, and apathy turning into fear. These signs can lead to missed business goals and a slipping company culture.
  3. Siloed cultures often form unintentionally due to tough market conditions, organizational changes, focus on individual parts instead of the system, and lack of intentional culture. Realignment starts by rallying the team around shared objectives, identifying desired team culture, and rewarding desired values.

From Customer Success Leader to VP of Product

98 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
💼 Business Career development Leadership Product Management Startups Entrepreneurship
  1. María de Antón transitioned from Head of Customer Success to Product Manager by following her instincts and overcoming imposter syndrome.
  2. Transitioning from customer success to product management involved a shift from talking with customers to creating joyful product experiences.
  3. As a leader considering switching functions, trust your cross-functional skills, seek necessary training, and have confidence in yourself.
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Navigating the Director Sandwich

58 implied HN points • 15 May 23
💼 Business Leadership Management Communication Relationships Development
  1. Navigating the role of a director involves managing expectations and aligning teams while leading through others.
  2. Transitioning into a director role means moving away from detailed work and learning to delegate effectively.
  3. Building trust is crucial in a director role, both within the team and across the organization, to achieve results and develop future leaders.

Navigating Culture in a Scaling Startup

58 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
💼 Business Startups Leadership Scaling Hiring Culture
  1. Startups thrive in chaos and rapid change, which can be exciting for those who enjoy a fast pace and quick growth.
  2. Communicating effectively in a rapidly scaling startup requires balancing speed and quality, ensuring team-wide understanding and coordination.
  3. Guiding culture during rapid growth involves hiring for cultural fit, seeking feedback from peers, and finding leadership support that empowers and believes in you.

Introducing Constellary

58 implied HN points • 01 May 23
💼 Business Leadership Team Building
  1. Constellary helps leaders navigate the complexities of leadership and develop core competencies.
  2. Leadership is not an individual effort, but a shared experience within a larger system.
  3. Collaboration and connection points are essential for leaders to navigate the complexity of organizations.