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Under 2: From Doing It All to Building Teams

Under 2: From Doing It All to Building Teams

In this insightful video, Jordi Romero emphasizes the importance of leadership and effective team management in a growing startup environment. He advocates for radical transparency in communication and prioritizes potential over proven experience when hiring, highlighting the necessity of a strong attitude and motivation aligned with company values. Romero discusses the significance of maintaining entrepreneurial energy while integrating structure, ensuring that team members feel valued and empowered. He also addresses the challenges corporate hires face in adapting to the fast-paced startup culture. According to Jordi Romero, nurturing a dynamic work environment and fostering open communication are vital for protecting core company values and advancing career development. Don’t miss more tips and insights on leadership and team management in the full episode.

2026·Season 1·Episode 4Highlight
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Jordi Romero · Founder and CEO at Factorial

Leadership insights

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Alejandra Chacón & Victoria Manankova · Head of Strategy and Insights at Havas Media Network & Ex VP of Revenue Operations at Factorial

Transcription

00:12

Hello, I'm Jordi Romero, founder and CEO at Factorial,and I'm here to answer as many questions as possible in as short time as possible.

00:19

How many questions do you think you're gonna answer?

00:21

I hope all of them. At least 20.When someone no longer fits, give them another chance or cut fast?

00:27

Give them another chance as long as they're willing to try.

00:30

The clear sign someone can't scale is...They don't want to scale.

00:34

You can summon only out of logical risk or investment?

00:37

Always an investment. But it might need some work.

00:40

What do you prefer?Motivate with bland honesty or soften the message?

00:43

Always radical transparency.Anything else would be disrespectful.

00:46

To communicate a shift in expectations, the first step is... Always share the context.

00:51

Would you hire proven experience or hungry to grow potential? Potential, always potential.

00:56

Attitude and motivation.The risk of hiring only for potential is... They might fail.

01:02

In a growing startup, what do you value the most?Culture or experience?

01:07

Attitude. When bringing in corporate profiles, does culture strengthen or break?

01:12

Culture usually clashes, but the best people adapt.

01:15

Even from a slow moving corporation to a fast moving startup.

01:18

Tell me one thing that indicates that the original culture is fading.

01:22

People stop caring.Adding a senior profile without losing agility.

01:26

Is it a question of process or mentorship?It's a question of radical transparency.

01:31

Lots of feedback. To protect founding values.The key is...? To care a lot and to show people that you care a lot.

01:37

Someone from corporate In a startup, their biggest challenge is speed or ambiguity.

01:41

The biggest challenge is freedom. They're not used to it.

01:43

Onboarding a senior hire.Teach culture or give space.

01:47

Show how we make things here and then set them free to make decisions and even make mistakes.

01:52

Last mistake when hiring senior, they forgot how to do the work.

01:55

It's important to know where you're going and have experience that people should be able to lead by example.

01:59

Which matters more?Startup experience or corporate background?

02:03

Growth which is typically found in a successful fast growing startup.

02:07

But it can come from anywhere.What weights more?Keeping entrepreneurial energy or adding structure?

02:13

Always keeping energy, motivation and ambition.Your best hiring decision was hiring people with a ton of energy that are able to deliver hardcore execution.

02:21

So done.How did you feel? Sorry.Good. I think I did it.

02:28

No, I did all of them.