Description:
In this episode of The Builders Podcast, Matt Levenhagen sits down with Andreas Pettersson, a former corporate executive turned scrappy entrepreneur. Andreas shares his journey from structured leadership roles to the fast-paced, ever-changing world of startups. This conversation dives deep into the mindset shifts required to transition successfully, the power of action-taking, and why building people is just as important as building a business.
Key Takeaways:
- Mindset Shift for Growth: Moving from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship requires agility, resourcefulness, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.
- Action Over Perfection: The best way to learn and grow is to take action quickly, iterate, and adapt.
- Leadership at Scale: Entrepreneurs must evolve from being problem-solvers to empowering and developing leaders within their teams.
- Fractional Work & Delegation: Hiring the right talent at the right stage—especially fractional executives—can optimize business efficiency.
- Culture & Team Development: Great businesses are built on great people. Identifying and nurturing talent is key to long-term success.
- The Power of Radical Candor: Honest, direct feedback helps individuals and businesses grow faster and smarter.
Andreas Pettersson
Andreas is an accomplished executive leader with over 16 years of international experience in the technology sector. He has transitioned from the corporate world to coaching and mentoring leaders as the founder and CEO of Leaders ADAPT, where he helps fearless leaders and entrepreneurs navigate the journey from 7 to 8 figures while staying true to themselves.
Andreas is passionate about guiding entrepreneurs to shift their mindset, embrace deep self-discovery, and stop running an “adult daycare.” He emphasizes the importance of developing leadership skills for successful business exits and finding fulfillment beyond financial metrics.
THE MEAT OF IT!
1. Introduction & Background
- Andreas Pettersson’s journey from corporate tech to entrepreneurship
- Why mindset shifts are crucial for founders
2. Embracing the Startup Mentality
- The difference between corporate structure vs. startup agility
- How scrappiness and adaptability lead to success
3. Leadership Evolution: From Problem-Solver to Leader
- Why founders need to stop solving every problem themselves
- How leadership development scales a business
- The impact of radical candor in team building
4. Taking Action & Iterating Quickly
- Why action beats over-planning in entrepreneurship
- “Inspect and adapt” – the power of experimentation
- Learning from failures and pivots
5. Leveraging Fractional Leadership & Delegation
- The benefits of hiring fractional executives
- How to delegate effectively while maintaining control
- Why hiring the right people at the right stage matters
6. Scaling Through People & Culture
- Spotting and developing hidden talent within teams
- Creating an environment that fosters growth
- The role of mentorship and continuous learning
7. Final Insights & Takeaways
- Key lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders
- How to stay resilient through business challenges
- Final words of wisdom from Andreas
Click to See Episode Chapters and Timestamp
| Timestamp | Summary |
| 0:00 | Building Businesses and People Through Fractional Work and Innovation |
| 4:05 | The Power of Radical Candor and Personal Growth |
| 12:47 | The Importance of Individualized Feedback in Leadership |
| 15:05 | Scaling Companies Through Leadership and Culture Transformation |
| 19:49 | Inspect and Adapt: A Startup's Guide to Constant Evolution |
| 23:09 | Overcoming Fear and Taking Action in Real Estate Investing |
| 26:48 | The Importance of Mindset and Action in Entrepreneurship |
| 29:47 | The Importance of Persistence and Experimentation in Achieving Success |
| 31:58 | The Illusion of Success in Social Media Marketing |
| 33:09 | The Importance of Taking Action and Adapting in Business |
| 36:21 | Transitioning From Corporate Executive to Scrappy Entrepreneur |
| 46:47 | Hiring Challenges and Strategies for Startups |
| 53:10 | Building a Boutique Business Focused on Leadership and Growth |
| 59:50 | The Power of Purposeful Living and Taking Action |
| 1:01:24 | Helping 10,000 Entrepreneurs Through Instagram and LinkedIn |
Check out these related Episodes:
- Episode 215: Ken Cox – Building InLink: AI Employees + All-in-One Solutions = The Future of Business
- Episode 214: Erich Archer – Building Smarty Pants GPTs, Creating Faster, Smarter Workflows
- Episode 213: Alykhan Jetha – Evolution of Daylite – Lessons in Cloud, Microservices & Eliminating Waste
