Reflections on my first week as full-time CEO

 

Reflections on my first week as a full-time CEO

After three great and successful years at Axiom, this week marks the first week being in uncharted territory, as a full-time CEO. Of course I am hit with a wave of excitement and eagerness with a pinch of fear and doubt for good measure.

The classic poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost perfectly sums up the feeling.

So upon reflection I’ve decided what advice I’d give to my 20 year old self to better prepare him for this moment: 

In order to build a great company, first work in a great company

I can now see why so many ex-Googlers, ex-Facebookers etc, have gone on to create world changing companies of their own.They got to work alongside the best and brightest who challenge their thinking and preconceptions every day. They learned how to balance incomplete knowledge with an inner confidence in their unique insights and reasoning. In many respects I had a similar experience with Axiom.

Axiom is not changing the digital world of bits, like the former companies, but they are changing the lives of lawyers every day, by bringing the archaic legal service industry into the 21st century. So I also had the chance to work with some of the best professionals in the world, who regularly straddle between the slow status quo of an old industry and true innovation.

Epictetus once said “It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows”. 

By working for a great company and with great people, you quickly realise that your own knowledge is very limited, and to succeed you must have an equal dose of humility to match your tenacity.

POST:

After 3 great years I’ve left my former employer Axiom to focus full time on Kapsule - whose mission is to drive forward what we call the 3 As (affordable, accessible and authentic medicines) across the world. 

COVID-19 has certainly added an element of uncertainty, but has also provided me with ample time to think.

At the end of week 1, these are my thoughts: 

#AllTheWay