When faced with adversity and against extreme odds, startup founders need to build resilience to manage the emotional rollercoaster of being a startup founder. Alon Leibovich, Managing Director of Intel Ignite Tel-Aviv, shares what he learned when his company BrandTotal was sued by Facebook.
In Gali Bloch Liran’s podcast called “The Human Founder”, Alon candidly shares why he chose to fight for the business and the steep two-year uphill battle he faced. When first receiving the news that his business was being sued, a board member called and said,”I know it’s hard for you to see this now, but it’s a good thing that’s happening.”
Alon shares how he initially focused on a practical, action driven approach. How he identified six crisis management work streams to focus on his six most important stakeholders, namely: employees, investors, customers, legal, media, and operations.
But, he also needed to ensure that he could build personal resilience and, despite him having studied organizational psychology, Alon went into a therapist’s office for the first time. There he discovered that his stress level was the same as “a soldier behind enemy lines under a real life or death threatening situation.” Practical tools he was taught included a daily workout regime, mindfulness exercises and breathing exercises.
Alon also speaks about founders’ fears and imposter syndrome. The interview also discusses the biggest mistake that founders make. Listen here or watch it below.
