"Look, I do have some constructive feedback for you... I don't want the answer right then and there because it will be likely emotional and defensive. I want them to go away and stew on that topic for a couple of days, and then let's sit down and have a conversation." - Ed Roberto
In this episode, Ed and Adel talk about:
How to properly vet a startup's culture in an interview by asking questions that go beyond salary and benefits.
The key behavioral questions every leader should ask to understand a candidate's true personality under stress.
A 3-step playbook for giving difficult, constructive feedback in a way that avoids defensiveness and builds trust.
Why a serious conversation deserves 100% of your undivided attention to be valuable.
Chapters / Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:50 - How to Spot Alarming Signs in a CEO During an Interview
02:30 - Going Beyond the Paycheck: What to Ask For in an Opportunity
03:20 - Probing Questions to Uncover a Startup's True Culture
05:20 - A Manager's Role: Ask Candidates Where They Want to Be in 3 Years
06:20 - Behavioral Questions to Ask to Understand a Candidate's Character
07:20 - How to Handle Receiving Constructive Criticism
08:30 - The Playbook: How to Give Difficult Feedback Effectively
10:30 - Why a Serious Conversation Demands 100% Attention
Listen, Watch & Follow:
🎧 Listen to The MentorEd Show on Spotify & other platforms: https://open.spotify.com/show/0NMOJapcl4JQUTsvTwfaUH?si=8108c9fb34b44cda
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more unscripted lessons on building and scaling your business: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2gKrx_-cmCctiPxTrOUkKA
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mentor.ed.podcast/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mentored-show/
Learn More:
SAUS here: https://sausleadership.com/
Ed Roberto's Profile: https://www.a8innovation.com/our-team/ed-roberto
Adel Hameed's Profile: https://www.a8innovation.com/our-team/adel-hameed
The MentorEd Show is an A8 strategy Original Podcast.
"If the CEO says, 'Hey, we've gotta make this product enhancement today'...the first question anyone should ask...is 'Great. I understand what we need to do. I have two other projects on my plate that are due by this date. Are you okay if they're late?'" - Ed Roberto
In this episode, Ed and Adel talk about:
Chapters / Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:50 - Does the Boss's New Task Always Come First?
02:20 - The Balance: Hierarchy vs. Chaos in Company Culture
04:00 - The CEO Bottleneck: Why You Must Empower Your Team
05:15 - The Framework for Prioritization and "Leading Up"
06:20 - Why You Must Get Comfortable with "Conscious Communication"
07:20 - The Problem with Founders Hogging the Limelight
09:20 - The Most Important Thing in a Business (It's Not the Idea)
13:00 - How to Handle a "Cocky" but Talented Employee
Listen, Watch & Follow:
🎧 Listen to The MentorEd Show on Spotify & other platforms: https://open.spotify.com/show/0NMOJapcl4JQUTsvTwfaUH?si=8108c9fb34b44cda
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more unscripted lessons on building and scaling your business: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2gKrx_-cmCctiPxTrOUkKA
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mentor.ed.podcast/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mentored-show/
Learn More:
SAUS here: https://sausleadership.com/
Ed Roberto's Profile: https://www.a8innovation.com/our-team/ed-roberto
Adel Hameed's Profile: https://www.a8innovation.com/our-team/adel-hameed
The MentorEd Show is an A8 strategy Original Podcast.
"As the CEO you, you need to start looking in the mirror and asking yourself, what are the behaviors that I bring to my business, my management team that holds us back? Because you could be the problem, certainly." - Ed Roberto
In this episode, Ed and Adel talk about:
Why a lack of team trust almost always starts with the CEO's own behaviors and mindset.
How to deal with the "smartest guy in the room"—the brilliant but toxic team member who destroys collaboration.
The dangers of relying too much on one "superstar" and how to use their success as a catalyst for the whole team.
A simple framework to empower your team: be clear on the "what" and "why," then get out of their way and let them own the "how."
Chapters / Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:45 - What is the root cause of a lack of team trust?
01:20 - It Starts With You: A CEO Must Look in the Mirror
02:10 - The "Smartest Guy in the Room" Problem
03:10 - The Michael Jordan Effect: Dangers of Relying on One Superstar
05:20 - A Leader's Guilt: When You're Too Bossy
06:30 - The CEO's Realization: "You Could Be The Problem"
07:50 - The Framework for Empowering Your Team
09:10 - How to Coach Your Team After a Big Win
Listen, Watch & Follow:
🎧 Listen to The MentorEd Show on Spotify & other platforms: https://open.spotify.com/show/0NMOJapcl4JQUTsvTwfaUH?si=8108c9fb34b44cda
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more unscripted lessons on building and scaling your business: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2gKrx_-cmCctiPxTrOUkKA
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mentor.ed.podcast/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mentored-show/
Learn More:
SAUS here: https://sausleadership.com/
Ed Roberto's Profile: https://www.a8innovation.com/our-team/ed-roberto
Adel Hameed's Profile: https://www.a8innovation.com/our-team/adel-hameed
The MentorEd Show is an A8 strategy Original Podcast.
"The founder's job is to, and it's actually, they're the only person that can do this job. They have to start thinking,'Gosh, am I ready to slow down?' Am I ready to let go of the reigns?" - Ed Roberto
In this episode, Ed and Adel talk about:
- Succession planning is one of the most difficult and emotional challenges for any founder.
- How to choose a successor based on skills and aptitude, not just family ties or entitlement.
- The critical importance of bringing in outside talent to fill skill gaps for the company's next chapter.
- A real-world case study of a massive family business that successfully transitioned to professional management, went public, and preserved its legacy.
Chapters / Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:45 - The Challenge of Succession Planning in a Startup
01:20 - Why Family Business Succession Often Stumbles
02:30 - Starting the Conversation and Asking Pointed Questions
03:30 - How a Business's Needs Evolve Beyond the Founder's Skills
04:20 - The Founder's Role: Are You Ready to Let Go?
05:10 - Case Study: A Son Takes Over His Father's 49 Gas Stations
06:30 - Dealing with Family Friction When Bringing in Outsiders
07:10 - Case Study: A Multi-Generational Business Transitions to Professional Management
10:15 - The Core Question: Are You Good at This, or Is It Your Ego?
Listen, Watch & Follow:
🎧 Listen on Spotify & other platforms: [Link to Your Spotify]
🔔 Watch on YouTube & Subscribe: [Link to Your YouTube Channel]
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mentor.ed.podcast/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mentored-show/
Learn More:
SAUS here: https://sausleadership.com/
Ed Roberto's Profile: https://www.a8innovation.com/our-team/ed-roberto
Adel Hameed's Profile: https://www.a8innovation.com/our-team/adel-hameed
The MentorEd Show is an A8 strategy Original Podcast.
(For YouTube Only) Recommended Tags:
Succession Planning, Family Business, Business Strategy, Leadership, Exit Strategy, Founder Advice, Legacy Planning, Estate Planning, Family Office, Next Generation Leadership, Hiring Outside CEO, Business Transition, The MentorEd Show
Social Media Captions - For the Reel/Short
As a founder, what's more important: keeping your family in control, or ensuring the business you built survives for another 100 years?
Often, you can't have both. Our new episode explores the difficult choices founders face when planning for succession. We share the story of a family that chose legacy over control by handing the reins to outside professionals.
It's a powerful lesson in separating ego from the long-term health of the business.
Listen to the full Minisode 25 on your preferred channel:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/UBHbPf64IxM
Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/a8innovation/episodes/Minisode-24-The-Real-Role-of-a-Startup-CFO-e35qs5o
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentored/id1815452945
#Founder #LegacyPlanning #FamilyBusiness #Succession #LeadershipQuestions #Business
You have 60 days of cash left, your best customers are demanding a new product, and your mentors give conflicting advice. What do you do? In this minisode, Ed explains why the short runway is the only problem that matters and the immediate, drastic steps a founder must take to survive. Learn about the "gray zone" of decision-making and the proactive framework—the Weekly Business Review—that can prevent these crises from ever happening.Show Notes: (0:45) The Gray Zone: Deciding to Pivot or Iterate (1:45) The Problem with "Good" vs. "Bad" Decisions (2:40) Using Financial Analysis to Vet New Features (3:30) The 60-Day Runway: Why All Other Decisions Stop (5:55) The Proactive Solution: An Early Warning Radar (6:50) The Power of the Weekly Business Review (WBR)(09:00) - Why You Never Plan for 100% Team CapacityLinks:Learn More about SAUS here: https://sausleadership.com/Ed Roberto's Profile: https://www.a8innovation.com/our-team/ed-roberto Adel Hameed's Profile: https://www.a8innovation.com/our-team/adel-hameed Follow Us: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mentor.ed.podcast/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mentored-show/ The MentorEd Show is an A8 strategy Original Podcast
There is immense pressure when you're scaling a business. But focusing solely on market share is one of the most common startup mistakes, leading to cash flow problems and operational chaos.
In this minisode, Ed Roberto discusses the flaws in the "growth at all costs" strategy.
Learn how to manage your burn rate, prevent internal system breakdowns, and stay informed about your competition as you scale.
Show Notes:
(0:45) A Common Startup Mistake in Growth Strategy
(1:45) Venture Capital Advice and Investor FOMO
(2:30) The Key to Scaling: Balancing Growth and Burn Rate
(3:05) How Business Scaling Breaks Your Company
(4:15) Competitive Analysis Risk During Hypergrowth
(4:50) Case Study: A Flawed Business Model vs. SaaS
Links:
Learn More about SAUS here: https://sausleadership.com/
Ed Roberto's Profile: https://www.a8innovation.com/our-team/ed-roberto
Adel Hameed's Profile: https://www.a8innovation.com/our-team/adel-hameed
Follow Us:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mentor.ed.podcast/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mentored-show/
The MentorEd Show is an A8 strategy Original Podcast
Your startup has less than three months of cash left. An investor is willing to write a check, but they want a massive chunk of your company. Do you take the deal or let your dream die? In this minisode, Ed walks through the brutal realities of this all-too-common founder crisis. Learn why you're already six months too late, what your board is really thinking, and the difficult questions you must ask about your own ego and ability to lead. Show Notes:
(0:45) The Founder's Dilemma: 3 Months of Runway vs. 25% Dilution
(1:40) Why You're Already 6 Months Too Late
(3:15) Does Your Performance Justify a Better Valuation?
(4:20) The Hard Decision: Dilution vs. Shutting Down
(5:15) The Board's Reaction: What Happens to the CEO?
(6:20) When a President/COO is Hired to Replace You
(7:25) The Choice: Founder Ego vs. A Bigger Outcome
(8:30) What If a Co-Founder Leaves and Competes With You?
Links:
Learn More about SAUS here: https://sausleadership.com/Ed
Roberto's Profile: https://www.a8innovation.com/our-team/ed-roberto
Adel Hameed's Profile: https://www.a8innovation.com/our-team/adel-hameed
Follow Us:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mentor.ed.podcast/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mentored-show/
The MentorEd Show is an A8 strategy Original Podcast
Are you thinking about your first financial hire? Do you need a bookkeeper, an accountant, or a strategic CFO?
Hiring the wrong one at the wrong time can be a costly mistake. In this minisode, Ed provides a clear roadmap for how a startup's financial leadership should evolve. We break down the distinct roles and pinpoint the right stage for each.
Learn why establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) is crucial from day one, and why every leader on your team—not just the finance expert—needs to be commercially minded.Show Notes:(0:45) The Accountant vs. CFO Dilemma for Founders(1:50) Why Even a Basic Accountant Must Establish KPIs (4:05) Moving Beyond "Gut Feel" with Hard Data (5:25) Using Financial Discipline to Vet Projects and Features(7:20) The Critical Need for "Commercial" Executives in Every Role (10:10) The Right Time to Bring in a Strategic CFO (12:20) Does a Fractional CFO Make Sense for Your Startup?
Links:
Learn More about SAUS here: SkillUp As You ScaleUp
Ed Roberto's Profile: Ed Roberto - Strategic Advisor
Adel Hameed's Profile: Adel Hameed | Founder and Managing Partner of A8 Innovation
Follow Us: Instagram - instagram.com/mentor.ed.podcast
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/showcase/mentored-show
The MentorEd Show is an A8 strategy Original Podcast
He had the perfect résumé from IBM and aced every interview. Six months later, he was out the door, and we were out nearly a year of progress and a massive amount of capital. The culprit? A fundamental clash of cultures.
In this minisode, Ed shares a raw, first-hand account of a disastrous executive hire that became a pivotal learning moment. We explore why experience on paper can be dangerously misleading and how a big-company mindset can cripple a fast-moving startup.
Join us as we break down the hard lessons learned and reveal a powerful framework for ensuring your next hire is not just qualified, but culturally aligned to accelerate your growth. We also dive into the two real, unglamorous jobs of a CEO.
Show Notes:(0:41) The Danger of Assuming a Candidate Will "Fit Anywhere"
(1:05) The Story of a Failed COO Hire from IBM
(2:45) Why Big Company Habits Don't Work in a Startup
(3:55) The Questions We Should Have Asked About Cultural Fit
(4:30) The CEO's Pre-Hiring Framework with the Executive Team
(5:55) How to Get Team Buy-In and Prevent Undermining
(7:20) Why People Are a Business's Greatest Strength and Weakness
(8:25) The Two Real Jobs of a CEO
(10:45) The Strategic Importance of Your CFO
Links:Learn More about SAUS here: SkillUp As You ScaleUp
Ed Roberto's Profile: Ed Roberto - Strategic Advisor Adel Hameed's Profile: Adel Hameed | Founder and Managing Partner of A8 Innovation
Follow Us: Instagram - instagram.com/mentor.ed.podcast
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/showcase/mentored-show
The MentorEd Show is an A8 strategy Original Podcast
What to Do When You’re Overlooked for a Leadership Role:– Why entitlement stalls startup careers– How to support new execs while staying valuable– Hiring senior leaders too early: the hidden risks– What great interview processes actually look likeGot a question for Ed? Drop it in the comments or visit sausleadership.com.Subscribe for more sharp, real-world founder advice.Brought to you by A8 Strategy
The Unicorn Illusion: Realistic Metrics for Startup Growth in the GCC
– Why $1B valuations rarely fit emerging markets
– The 5M/20M rule for growth-stage success
– What founders get wrong about “expanding globally”
– The hard truth about regional fragmentation in MENA
Got a question for Ed? Drop it in the comments or visit sausleadership.com.
Subscribe for more sharp, real-world founder advice.
Brought to you by A8 Strategy
Startup Equity, Option Pools & Dilution, Explained Clearly:
– What early-stage investors look for in equity splits– The right way to structure an employee option pool– Why offer letters matter more than verbal promises– What to do if you're in a market with weak legal enforcement
Got a question for Ed? Drop it in the comments or visit sausleadership.com.
Subscribe for more sharp, real-world founder advice.
Brought to you by A8 Strategy