The Criticality Of Timing

Timing is the factor that is most absent in conversations I have with investors, with other leaders of products, and with fellow…

Timing is the factor that is most absent in conversations I have with investors, with other leaders of products, and with fellow entrepreneurs. While there is so much focus on trends, new technologies, data, and human tendencies, the criticality of timing is seldom discussed. Perhaps, because timing is so out of our control, we talk about it less. But the outcome of your work is determined by timing just as much as other variables. Timing is worthy of our respect and attention.

The Right Leader For The Right Time

It’s humorous how quickly we — and even professional headhunters — focus on the fit of a particular leader in a company without factoring in timing. At any point in time, companies have a unique set of needs and opportunities (and insecurities). Sometimes you need leaders that will drive product innovation, other times you need leaders that will masterfully sustain incremental growth. Sometimes you need a finance-CEO that brings margins and expenses in-line and transforms the b…