What does a board member really look for in a CEO? What signals competence, and what quietly erodes confidence?

In this episode, Mike and Corey sit down with returning guest Ira Weiss—educator, investor, and longtime board member—to decode the often-misunderstood relationship between boards and founding teams. Drawing from over 60 investments and hundreds of founder interactions, Ira shares how he evaluates early-stage CEOs, the underrated power of persistence and curiosity, and the true markers of success (spoiler: it’s not always the outcome).

They dive into:

• How founders can turn board meetings into strategic assets
• When and why boards start thinking about leadership changes
• The real reason investors push for independent board members
• Why transparency—especially from the C-suite—is a signal, not a vulnerability

Whether you're raising your first round or leading a growth-stage company, this episode is a practical guide to working with your board, not just reporting to them.