Charlotte's Thoughts On Life & Business

Taking on a founding Account Executive role at a startup involves more than just selling a product; it requires becoming a builder, a problem solver, and, at times, a confidant. This journey can be thrilling and fulfilling, but it is also not for the faint of heart. If you are considering this path or are already immersed in it, here are some candid insights on the qualities needed to thrive, potential pitfalls to avoid, and how to navigate the chaos with intention. What Makes a Great Founding Account Executive 1. Ownership Mentality You will not receive pre-qualified leads and a fully developed sales process. Instead, you will be responsible for creating, testing, and refining nearly every aspect of the sales function. From designing pitch decks to establishing the first CRM workflows, it is up to you. The best founding Account Executives embrace this responsibility, viewing it as an opportunity to shape the foundational elements of the company. 2. Comfort With Ambiguity Expect rapid ...

Stress is part of life; there’s no avoiding it. But how we handle it makes all the difference. Whether it's job redundancy, personal setbacks or work pressure, stress can feel overwhelming. The good news? You don’t have to let it take over. By balancing stress with positive actions, you can build resilience and feel more in control. Here are some practical steps to help you navigate tough times. Acknowledge and Manage Your Emotions Bottling up stress won’t make it disappear; in fact, it often makes things worse. Recognise how you're feeling and allow yourself to process those emotions. If you're worried about an uncertain future, write it down and separate what you can control from what you can't. For example, if redundancy has knocked your confidence, focus on what you can do next; update your CV, practise interview skills and look at potential career options, rather than dwelling on what’s gone wrong. Facing your emotions head-on puts you in the driver’s seat rath...

In both personal and professional life, we often debate whether the more important is the intelligence quotient (IQ) or the emotional quotient (EQ). While IQ measures cognitive abilities, EQ focuses on understanding, managing, and leveraging emotions, ours and others.  The Essence of Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise, control, and express emotions.  Daniel Goleman , who popularised this concept, identified five core elements: Self-Awareness,  Self-Regulation, Motivation,  Empathy, Social Skills.  These elements help individuals navigate relationships, make decisions, and succeed professionally and personally. Research from the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) and the Harvard Business Review  confirm that EQ predicts leadership effectiveness more than IQ. Why EQ Often Triumphs Over IQ Building Relationships: High EQ individuals understand and manage emotions, creating trust and stronger connections with others. Ef...