Leadership Journeys [108] - Mihails Scepanskis - "Motivation means trust in the future"

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.Mihails is a Scientist turned entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO at Cenos, which is simplifying simulation-based design for every engineer. With over six and a half years of experience in the startup world, Mihails shares his fascinating journey from building a scientific career to founding his own engineering simulation software company. Discover how he navigated the challenges of transitioning from scientist to entrepreneur, the power of making decisions that embrace the future vision, and valuable insights on maintaining motivation and trust in uncertain times. This candid conversation is filled with wisdom and practical takeaways that will inspire and empower leaders facing their own growth challenges. 🚀 You can find Mihails at the below linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mihails-scepanskis/In the interview, Mihails shares"I am Mihails Scepanskis, a scientist turned entrepreneur. My journey from academia to founding a startup has been a visionary quest to revolutionize engineering through simulation software.""As an entrepreneur, I learned that taking risks and daring to speak beyond what you can prove is the essence of visionary thinking. We sell the future, not just the present.""Starting my own company was driven by a realization that my consultancy work was often unnecessary for my customers. It sparked the desire to create a solution that would empower engineers in smaller companies.""The journey from scientist to entrepreneur has been filled with challenges and tough choices. Refusing an investor's offer may seem emotional, but sometimes it's about finding the right fit for the long-term vision.""In decision-making, it's crucial to trust data, but simplicity and beauty also matter. Easy and beautiful solutions tend to find their applications in the future.""Motivation and trust in the future are critical for an entrepreneur. I maintain trust by being transparent with my team about challenges and opportunities, allowing them to be proactive.""For the next 12 months, our biggest challenge is sustaining growth without external funding. We're focused on making our business more capital efficient to maintain steady progress.""Our growth strategy is sales-driven, but it's also a careful combination of sales and product development. Delegating sales and documenting processes has helped us scale effectively.""Being an entrepreneur taught me to make decisions that embrace the future vision, not just immediate survival. Thinking beyond the present enriches both personal and professional aspects of life.""Transitioning from scientist to entrepreneur has empowered me to take visionary steps, like going electric with my family car. Embracing the future has made life more beautiful and fulfilling."