# Month in Review: March 2025 Mar 31 Written By [Guest User](/content/newsletter?author=697ce27819e4da0b672d831f/index.html) This monthly email is a simple way to catch up or refresh your memory on events, new members, and conversations from the Enrich community - here's March’s month-in-review. **🚀 Join us in Slack!** We have moved our always-on community space from WhatsApp to Slack - join us! We hope this transition enables a smoother onboarding experience, better member profiles, even more async conversations, and easier 1:1 messaging with fellow Enrich members. **🗣️ Enrich Conversations** Our curated conversations are a great way to learn how your peers are tackling the same challenges and questions you face. Here's the quick takeaways from March’s conversations. **Working at a Private Equity-Backed Company \|** [**Colt Stander**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/coltstander/) **, CPO of Presence** - PE firms typically hold a majority stake, take a hands-on approach, and work closely with executives, often through direct access to senior partners. - Their focus is on scalable, predictable growth and operational efficiency rather than the high-risk, high-reward bets common in VC. - A 3–7 year exit timeline shapes strategic decisions and drives urgency across the business. - Hiring for VP or C-suite roles often signals a need for turnaround or restructuring, with results expected in ~18 months. - PE-backed companies occupy a middle ground between startups and public firms, requiring leaders who can navigate both growth and discipline. - [Link](https://joinenrich.notion.site/enrich-Notes-Links-19e6a4e7530f80eea1fcec7be19c7782?pvs=4) to graphics shared during presentation **AMA with** [**Pedro Canahuati**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pcanahuati/) **, CTO of 1 Password** - As leadership responsibilities grow, effective delegation and empowering others become essential, especially for VP and CTO-level roles expanding beyond technical scopes. - AI can boost productivity by automating tasks, but leaders must understand its limitations and address privacy concerns for secure enterprise use. - One Password is exploring client-side AI to enhance productivity while preserving encryption and user privacy. - Balancing innovation with security is key, new technologies require thoughtful evaluation, not just CEO-driven enthusiasm. - Shifting to stream-aligned teams has improved cross-functional collaboration, with written feedback and performance reviews supporting team accountability. [**Andy Dunn**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyrdunn/) **, Co-Founder Bonobos \| From $310M Exit to Author to Founder** - _Link to recording_ [_here_](https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/I8-EifbbfL4qZf4I4mFQIiVh-K7mXvwt4iAEvoZ6XqFPvyLaw6ORcjqnClc30KeR.Gm1V32zuGtOZIDpY) - Candor often outweighs harmony, clear, honest conversations prevent bigger issues and set the tone for healthy team dynamics. - The need to be liked and unchecked empathy can drain leaders; balancing authenticity with emotional boundaries is crucial. - Disagreements should be met with curiosity, not defensiveness, encouraging dissent fosters innovation and better decision-making. - As teams grow, social dynamics shift; leaders must be intentional about culture and communication, especially beyond ~40 people. - Choosing between passion and profit is a real leadership dilemma, sometimes, taking the leap matters more than guaranteed success. - **Resources Shared:** - _Pattern Breakers: Why Some Start-Ups Change the Future_ by Mike Maples Jr. - _Fortune: Founders – Answer These 2 Questions Before Saying Yes to an Investor._