First Time Founders with Ed Elson – ft. Ryan Petersen of Flexport

Storytelling

Storytelling is a vital skill for CEOs, as Ryan Petersen explains, enabling them to engage stakeholders such as investors, employees, and regulators. He emphasizes that storytelling is not just about pitching to investors but also about convincing partners and regulators of the company's credibility and compliance 1. Ryan shares his experience with pitching, noting that it requires practice and personal touch to make presentations relatable and actionable 2.

If you don't like telling stories, you shouldn't find a company because you have to do the same.

--- Ryan Petersen

He advises starting presentations with a story to capture attention and end with actionable insights.

   

Trust Culture

Building a culture of trust is essential for company success, and Ryan Petersen achieves this by promoting openness and integrating storytelling into company practices. He encourages employees to ask challenging questions through platforms like Slack and town halls, fostering an environment where truth and courage are valued 3. Ryan also stresses the importance of staying grounded by regularly engaging with customers and frontline employees, ensuring that leadership remains connected to reality 4.

I'd rather just put it out there and address things head on, even if I don't have a great answer.

--- Ryan Petersen

This approach helps identify emerging talent and maintain a culture of customer obsession and leadership development.