By: Joshua Finley

Christie Kerner, a veteran entrepreneur and modern leadership specialist, has carved out a remarkable business development and corporate leadership career. With a 30-year career marked by extensive expertise in building and scaling companies, Christie now shares her knowledge with fellow entrepreneurs through her Modern Leadership Academy venture.

Early Entrepreneurship and Success

In her most recent 15 years, Christie has coached executives in ambitious deep tech startups, successful IPO startups and everything in between. She recently worked with the entire executive team of a company recognized as one of the Inc 5000 fastest-growing companies in America. Christie developed and ran the premier peer circle program for startup founders in Arizona, helping over 100 startup CEOs find their way, grow, and exit their companies.

She has held roles as CEO, COO, and Entrepreneur in Residence, building venture-backed companies for herself and others, including selling two of her own companies. She has grown startup communities globally, helping thousands find clarity and support in pursuing their dreams. For example, as the National Director for the Americas for Startup Grind, backed by Google for Entrepreneurs, she led a team of over 150 startup community directors across North, South, and Central America.

Christie’s unique ability to balance broad strategic vision with meticulous attention to detail has made her a highly sought-after advisor and coach. “I’m a generalist that can get my hands dirty in every area and do pretty darn deep work,” she explains. For the past 15 years, she has dedicated herself to helping founders of venture-backed startups scale their companies efficiently and finds great joy in assisting others to succeed.

Photo Courtesy: Christie Kerner

Shaping Future Leaders

In addition to her advisory work, Christie has established the Modern Leadership Academy, a forward-thinking program designed to prepare leaders for the rapid and inevitable changes in business. “In the world of AI, we need to help people face change with a growth mindset. It will be harder to keep people motivated,” Christie notes. The academy focuses on essential leadership traits such as emotional intelligence, adaptability, and innovative thinking, equipping leaders to navigate contemporary challenges.

Three Ways to Embrace Your New Executive Role

Drawing from her extensive experience, Christie Kerner offers invaluable advice for individuals stepping into new executive roles. Here are her three tips for embracing and excelling in these positions:

1. Master Active Delegation

New startup executives often alternate between taking tasks into their own hands to ensure quality output and becoming overwhelmed by the impossibility of doing so with the large scope they are responsible for. This leads them to dump items on others without a solid mechanism to follow up. Neither of these habits will work out well.

To actively delegate, managers must first recognize that as leaders, they need to create alignment and motivation within the team that enables high-quality delivery through other people’s hands, not just their own. “A great resource for new managers is to use tracking tools and clear communication to give themselves the ability to know what they’ve asked of each person and when it’s time to check in on things,” Christie advises. 

2. Foster a Culture of Authentic Communication

Managers often walk a fine line as leaders, a balance that can take a while to find. They need to be friendly but not a “friend” to those they lead. This includes being open, authentic, and accessible while maintaining a boundary that they are here to help guide everyone toward the company’s success. “It’s vital to build trust and ensure everyone is aligned with the company’s vision and goals while maintaining the employee/employer relationship,” Christie says. 

A good example is fostering an environment where it’s okay to make mistakes but ensuring open, productive communication that helps a person grow in line with what the company needs from someone in that role. “Giving team members a way to step beyond shame when making mistakes does wonders for a team’s success,” Christie notes.

3. Cultivate a Growth Mindset

Times are changing, and the world is quickly becoming a place where AI is amplifying the source of productivity in many critical areas of business. It’s more important than ever to encourage a mindset of lifetime learning and flexibility. “Stay curious and be willing to adapt to changing technologies and innovations,” Christie encourages. 

The current information revolution can create fear within workers, and as leaders, managers have the opportunity to model a bold welcoming of new tools. With the right mindset, managers can help their teams navigate the uncomfortable transition of new things and build the skills that give them a competitive advantage. “It all starts with us modeling and leading the way,” says Christie. 

Insights from Christie’s Experience

Christie’s own journey is a testament to the power of these principles. Her early success in building a multi-million dollar company taught her the value of sustainable systems and processes. Reflecting on her career, Christie shares, “I’ve always been driven by a desire to create value and make a positive impact. Whether it’s through building companies or coaching leaders, my goal is to help others achieve their full potential.”

Learn more about Christie Kerner by visiting her Modern Leadership Academy.

Published By: Aize Perez