Business today looks nothing like it did 20 years ago. Old ways of doing things just don’t work in a world where AI is changing everything, customers expect more than ever, and workplaces have been flipped upside down by things like COVID. Big companies have been overtaken by small, fast-moving startups and technology keeps changing the game.
So how do you lead in this new world? According to CEO coach Joe Leech, it’s time to rethink what it means to be a leader and become what he calls a “Modern CEO.” It’s not about small tweaks. It’s about changing how you think and lead.
Here are 8 simple lessons that today’s SaaS and software founders, CEOs, and leaders should know:
1. Play Your Own Game (Not Someone Else’s)
Joe shares a thought experiment: imagine a goose stuck inside a bottle. You can’t break the bottle or hurt the goose. What do you do? The answer: you break the rules – because the rules were made up.
As leaders, we often follow made-up rules or industry norms that hold us back.
Success comes when you stop copying others and start playing your own game.
Booking.com didn’t try to “beat” hotels, they changed the game entirely.
2. Set the Stage, Don’t Force the Ending
You can’t control exactly how things will turn out – not your revenue, growth, or market response. What you can do is create the right environment for success. Trying to control everything leads to stress and burnout.
The best leaders focus on building the right conditions and trust the process.
3. Think Abundantly, Not Fearfully
When times get tough, it’s easy to shrink back and play it safe. But a “scarcity mindset” (thinking you’re going to lose) can push customers and partners away. People sense that nervous energy.
Instead, shift to an “abundance mindset” — act with confidence and generosity.
Believe that things can grow, that people want to work with you. That kind of energy attracts opportunity.
4. Not Every Problem Is a Crisis
When your company is small, you’re used to handling everything. But as you grow, you need to pick your battles.
Joe compares this to parenting:
- Umbrellas = small mistakes your team can learn from.
- Buses = big dangers where you must step in.
Great CEOs know the difference – and let their teams figure things out unless it’s really critical.
5. Make Clear Agreements, Not Assumptions
Most workplace problems come from mismatched expectations. One person thinks something’s obvious, the other doesn’t even know it’s a thing.
Instead of guessing, write it down. Agree on who’s doing what, when, and how.
Clear agreements create better communication and fewer surprises.
6. Ask Better Questions Instead of Giving All the Answers
When people come to you with problems, it’s tempting to jump in and fix everything. But that just makes you the bottleneck.
Great leaders don’t solve every problem – they ask the right questions so their team can solve them. A simple question like “What’s really going on here?” can open up a better conversation and empower your people.
7. Fear Is Normal – How You React Is What Matters
Leading a business can be scary. But fear isn’t a bad thing, it means you’re growing.
There are three zones:
- Comfort zone: Safe, but maybe stuck.
- Fear zone: Feels tough, but leads to learning.
- Growth zone: Where change happens.
Your job is to help yourself (and your team) move through fear and into growth – with support, not pressure.
8. Run Towards Problems (And Make It Fun)
Avoiding problems makes them worse. Dealing with them head-on saves energy and stress.
One CEO turned “finding problems” into a team game, with prizes for spotting issues. It changed the vibe from panic to fun and problems got solved faster.
If you’re not enjoying work, you might be doing it wrong.
The Modern CEO is about adapting to constant change, breaking free from old constraints, and leading with a mindset that embraces abundance, learning, and proactive problem-solving. It’s a shift from control to creating conditions, from answers to questions, and from fear to embracing growth.
What are your thoughts on these traits? Which resonates most with your leadership journey? Share your insights in the comments below.
This article draws on excerpts from Joe Leech‘s talk, “Seven Traits of a Modern CEO“, at Business of Software Conference.