Fred Wilson on Role of CEO: Manage Vision, Talent, Cash

Fred Wilson shares his perspective on CEO’s key responsibilities: set and communicate vision, recruits and retains talent, and manages cash flow.

Fred Wilson on Role of CEO:
Manage Vision, Talent, and Cash

Fred Wilson recounts an experienced venture capitalist’s explanation to him  of  “What a CEO Does

“A CEO does only three things. Sets the overall vision and strategy of the company and communicates it to all stakeholders. Recruits, hires, and retains the very best talent for the company. Makes sure there is always enough cash in the bank.”
Fred Wilson quoting a “very experienced VC” in “What a CEO Does“

I think this works just as well for bootstrapping teams relying on organic growth as a venture backed firm:

• Strategy/Focus
• Team/Talent
• Cash/Profit

Of these the strategy defines the goals and talent and cash are constraints that need to be managed.  Talent and financial capital have to be assessed in the context of the firm’s objectives.

Related Blog Posts

• B.V. Jagadeesh on “Startup Leadership Lessons Learned”
• Forming and Leading a Team of Experts
• Andrey Oleksiuk on Managing an R&D Team in a War Zone 
• Harbinger or Outlier, Vision or Mirage, Threat or Opportunity

Photo Credit: Emmi Land “This is not going to end well” (Lego Binoculars)