From our CEO

Uncensored advice about product development and building a high-growth software company from Brian de Haaff, co-founder and CEO at Aha!

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The One Secret of Highly Successful Leaders
April 13, 2015
The One Secret of Highly Successful Leaders

I have always had a hard time not being myself. This trait has mostly served me well, but some times it annoys people who expect me to be their version of a leader. Some…

The One Word Confident People Always Say
April 12, 2015
The One Word Confident People Always Say

It happens like this. Your co-worker comes strolling down the hallway and peers around the corner at you. You look up, annoyed by the interruption. She then quickly asks,…

How Smart Managers Hide From Responsibility
April 8, 2015
How Smart Managers Hide From Responsibility

Do smart leaders avoid responsibility? Learn how stepping back and delegating responsibility can actually help your team.

The One Sign You Have Incredible Mental Toughness
April 6, 2015
The One Sign You Have Incredible Mental Toughness

I heard him yell my name from his big office — “Brian, do you have a minute?” “I guess I do now,” I thought as I crawled out of my cube and strolled down the hall. “Yes?”…

The Secret to an Awesome Event: Your Weekly Innovation
April 2, 2015
The Secret to an Awesome Event: Your Weekly Innovation

The events industry is in trouble. Last year, a survey conducted by Eventbrite and Hubspot found that despite ballooning event budgets, 51% of event organizers saw no…

How Smart Employees Trick Their Boss
April 1, 2015
How Smart Employees Trick Their Boss

On Monday, I wrote about How Deceptive Leaders Hurt Employees. I explained that during times of stress, telling someone to “Just relax” insults them. It’s shallow and…

The One Lie Deceptive Leaders Tell
March 30, 2015
The One Lie Deceptive Leaders Tell

I have been to two funerals in the last month. Sarah, my sister-in-law, passed away at 40, leaving my brother and his two kids to keep going without her. And I just…

When Your Boss Throws You Under the Bus
March 26, 2015
When Your Boss Throws You Under the Bus

On Tuesday, I wrote about How Smart Managers Throw Employees Under the Bus. The title surprised many of my friends and colleagues. They thought I was actually…

How Smart Managers Throw Employees Under the Bus
March 24, 2015
How Smart Managers Throw Employees Under the Bus

Your co-worker just made another terrible mistake. And you are going to suffer because of it. You both look bad now, and you are tired of being frowned upon for his…

Why This CEO Hates Brainstorming
March 23, 2015
Why This CEO Hates Brainstorming

I get the cold shivers whenever I hear someone say, “We need to figure that out.” I should not, but I sadly do. A lackluster CEO whom I once worked with would use this…

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