Matt Colebourne, a seasoned entrepreneur and professional CEO with over 30 years of experience, joins Evgeny to discuss the critical decision founders face about whether to continue leading their business or bring in new leadership.

Matt shares his journey, which includes starting and selling an AI company in the mid-nineties and turning around and exiting five other companies since.

Their conversation covers the importance of self-awareness and soft skills in leadership, practical challenges in growing and scaling technology businesses, and the nuanced decisions around CEO succession and leadership transitions. 

00:00 Introduction

01:53 Matt Colebourne's Career Journey

07:07 Replacing Founder CEO at Searchmetrics

17:06 Stepping Down vs Compensating for Weaknesses

22:36 Transforming Searchmetrics

26:52 Product Features vs Customer Needs

32:47 Turning around Qwist Group

39:34 Advice for Founders, CEOs and Investors

53:53 Final Reflections

Learn more about Evgeny's work as a CEO coach: https://www.evgeny.coach

Startup CEO Succession: a Founder's Guide to Leadership Transition is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CW1HLZTR 

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