The Hidden Forces Behind Startup Leaders w/ Eleanor Kaye | Lost and Searching EP5
How does the venture capital ecosystem shape today's business leaders? Is the influence actually a good one? Let's uncover some hidden influences behind today's startup leaders.
Eleanor Kaye is the Managing Director at Newton Venture Program - a joint venture between LocalGlobe (a leading UK VC firm) and London Business School. Newton trains aspiring and practising venture capital professionals with an explicit mission to diversify the VC Ecosystem. Previously, Eleanor worked at Palantir Technologies across multiple operational roles during Palantir’s period of hyper-growth before direct listing.
Here are some of my reflections on the episode:
Understanding Human Behavior as a Leadership Superpower
Eleanor emphasizes that successful leadership goes far beyond technical skills and business acumen. Understanding human behavior is key. The ability to read and respond to people’s motivations, emotions, and communication styles can give startup leaders a huge advantage in rallying their teams and aligning them with the company’s mission. This approach also reminds me of a previous episode where we discussed authentic leadership with Remy Blumenfeld, which you can check out here.
Personal Development is Non-Negotiable
Another core insight from Eleanor is that personal development isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for leaders. To be able to lead others effectively, you need to be continuously evolving yourself. Eleanor highlights that the inner work of leadership—understanding your own fears, weaknesses, and desires—is just as important as managing the external challenges of running a startup. Leaders who invest in their own growth become more resilient and adaptable in the face of adversity, a theme that ties into many of our resources on leadership here.
Leading Through Uncertainty
Startups are characterized by uncertainty and rapid change, and Eleanor's advice on navigating this landscape is particularly valuable. She talks about the importance of staying grounded amidst the chaos, which requires not only clear strategic thinking but also emotional intelligence. Startup leaders often deal with the fear of failure, investor pressure, and team dynamics—all forces that, if not managed well, can derail even the best business ideas. Her practical tips on managing these unseen pressures are a must-listen for any entrepreneur.
Empathy and Vulnerability in Leadership
Eleanor also stresses the importance of empathy and vulnerability. While some might see vulnerability as a weakness, she argues that it’s a strength that enables leaders to build stronger connections with their teams. A leader who can openly discuss challenges and listen to their team’s concerns is more likely to foster a culture of trust and collaboration. This is an idea we’ve explored before in our episode on empathy in leadership, which you can revisit for more insights.
Final Thoughts: Eleanor Kaye’s episode offers a deep dive into the hidden forces that shape startup leadership. Her focus on human behavior, personal growth, and leading through uncertainty provides invaluable lessons for anyone navigating the turbulent waters of entrepreneurship. Whether you're a seasoned startup founder or just beginning your leadership journey, these insights can help you sharpen your skills and prepare for the challenges ahead.
If you want to dive deeper into Eleanor’s wisdom and gain more insights on startup leadership, listen to the full episode on all major platforms. You won’t want to miss it!
GUEST LINKS
WEBSITE - Newton Venture Programme: https://newtonprogram.vc/
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanorkaye/
HOST LINKS
WEBSITE: https://sevenjacobs.com
NEWSLETTER: https://sevenjacobs.substack.com
SOCIALS: https://mainpage.me/seven.jacobs
SHOW LINKS
WEBSITE: https://sevenjacobs.com/lost-and-searching
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@LeadershipDiscoveryTV
ALL EPISODES (Spotify): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ldtv
ALL EPISODES (Apple): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lost-and-searching/id1771369908