Many startups are transitioning to more flexible forms and portfolios of multi-locational teams and interconnected work-groups. People network, share insights, raise questions and address issues as they arise. As business startups expand and evolve and people within and across key relationships assume greater responsibility, actively participate in corporate social networks and become more intimately involved in decision making in increasingly open and democratic organizations, leadership requirements will change in terms of the number and type of those involved. Steps may have to be taken to identify, attract, engage and develop appropriate people.

Do startup companies require a distinct form of leadership and culture, or is the success of new ventures largely a matter of developing the right business model and putting certain fundamentals in place irrespective of culture and leadership style? How many of the customers who are attracted to the attributes, availability and price of certain offerings are concerned about the culture of the organizations supplying them and how they are led?

What does a call for a more entrepreneurial culture actually mean? If factors as varied as responsible risk taking, competitive offerings and effective pricing are required for business success, could a winning combination of them be assembled by entrepreneurs from a variety of social backgrounds, religions and nationalities and with different attitudes, beliefs and values? Both new and long established businesses need to be affordable, relevant, efficient, flexible and sustainable. Many companies are transitioning to more flexible forms and portfolios of multi-locational teams and interconnected work-groups. People network, share insights, raise questions and address issues as they arise. What are the implications of these changes for entrepreneurs, boards and executive leadership teams and for relationships between them? How will such developments affect the relative power and positioning of directors and managers? Will cultural requirements be affected?

Powering on Potential, Leadership, Culture and Entrepreneurship