Dear Reader
When I became a CEO, I thought I knew what I was taking on.
Strategy. Fundraising. Vision.
Even if I didn’t know exactly how it all came together.
But the real lessons? They came later.
Over the years, and especially as I prepared to hand over to my successor, I found myself reflecting on what I’d learned the hard way.
Now, through my work with other CEOs and founders, I hear the same themes again and again - the unspoken parts of leadership no one really prepares you for.
There’s no manual for being a CEO.
But there is an invisible curriculum - one most of us learn by trial and error.
That’s why I pulled together this new guide:
21 Things I Wish I’d Known When I Became a CEO.
It’s a practical, honest reflection - the things I wish someone had told me upfront:
- “Your words carry more weight than you think.”
- “Protect your calendar, or it will run you.”
- “Leadership is lonelier than it looks.”
Whether you’re in your first year or your tenth, I hope this brings some clarity, calm, and maybe even a bit of lift.
👉 Download the guide by clicking the box:
I’d love to know which of the 21 resonates most for you or what else you would add.
Warmly,
Liz
Strategic Advisor | Former CEO | Founder, Volante
Based in Kenya, available globally
