Reboot Podcast Episode #15 – Becoming a Leader: The Crucible of Co-Founder Conflict

The Reboot podcast showcases the heart and soul, the wins and losses, the ups and downs of startup leadership. On the show, Entrepreneurs, CEO’s, and Startup Leaders discuss with Jerry Colonna the emotional and psychological challenges they face daily as leaders.

Episode 15 // April 9, 2015

To be adult in relationship is not to be conflict-free, it’s to resolve conflicts mindfully.

Guests

Dave Otten

Dave Otten

CEO and Co-Founder

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Jeroen "JW" Wijering

Jeroen "JW" Wijering

Co-Founder & Creator

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Brian Rifkin

Brian Rifkin

Co-Founder

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Episode Description

JW Player has come a long way. The JW player and platform is now used by over 2.5 million publishers and 20% of the fortune 1,000 companies. Each month about 1 billion people watch video on their platform. Behind those numbers are real people–including three co-founders who, over the last eight years, have experienced their own profound personal growth and leadership transformations.

In a special first video episode, only fitting for the co-founders of one of the world’s largest video platforms, we have the 3 co-founders of JW Player joining Jerry in person. In a very open conversation, they explore key challenging moments in their company and partnership history -and how they emerged from those moments stronger and more committed than ever. It’s an inspiring story of how they became leaders in the moments of conflict.

Jeroen “JW” Wijering on Twitter | Brian Rifkin on Twitter

Show Highlights

Top Quotes:

“It’s tough to prioritize a business over people.” – Brian Rifkin

“Taking care of yourself is not selfish.” – Jerry Colonna

“I like chocolate and I like olive oil, but I don’t like chocolate and olive oil together” – Jerry Colonna

“Sitting for months on having to let someone go is the number one problem leaders face.” – Jerry Colonna

“Be very suspicious of hope because hope is not a strategy.” – Jerry Colonna

“What was called into question, was whether or not you should remain CEO….That’s a big moment” – Jerry Colonna

“I remember the conversations. I remember his voice specifically, it was like death had come over on him.”-  Brian on Dave

“You took your seat…He became CEO because his friend believed in him and stood up for him.”  – Jerry Colonna

“The leader emerges often at a moment of crisis.”  – Jerry Colonna

“To be an adult in a relationship is not to be conflict free, but to resolve conflicts mindfully.” – David Richo (author)

“To be an adult in a relationship is not to be conflict free, but to resolve conflicts mindfully….with trust” – Jerry amending David Richo’s quote