#130 - Tracy Young and Kat Manalac

Leadership Challenges

Tracy Young faced numerous leadership challenges while scaling PlanGrid, particularly in managing her emotions and overcoming negative ego. She describes the journey as lonely and filled with constant pressure, emphasizing the importance of emotional management to survive each day 1. Tracy's coach, Strat, played a crucial role in her growth by helping her address her negative ego, which often led her to dwell on mistakes rather than focusing on improvement 2.

I think our ability to manage our own emotions is actually a big key to just surviving the next day. Can we just keep our shit together?

--- Tracy Young

Meditation and a supportive team helped her maintain confidence and calm during challenging times, reinforcing her belief in PlanGrid's mission and team 1.

   

Effective Scaling

Effective scaling at PlanGrid was driven by strategic leadership and a deep passion for the construction industry. Tracy Young credits her success to surrounding herself with experienced leaders who had previously scaled companies, and selling the vision of PlanGrid passionately to attract top talent 3. Her commitment to the industry and understanding of customer needs served as a guiding North Star, helping her navigate the challenges of prioritization and resource allocation 4.

I think it boils down to passion.

--- Tracy Young

Tracy also highlights the importance of self-care practices such as yoga and meditation, which allowed her to maintain perspective and resilience during PlanGrid's rapid growth 5.

   

Hiring Insights

Tracy Young's hiring philosophy at PlanGrid evolved as the company grew, focusing on authenticity and adaptability. Initially, she sought generalists with high pain tolerance who could handle diverse tasks, essential for a small startup environment 6. As the company expanded, specialization became crucial, and Tracy emphasized the importance of authenticity and past success in similar roles when hiring leaders 6.

If there's ever a moment where you're in an interview and it feels like someone's bullshitting you, they're probably bullshitting you.

--- Tracy Young

Her approach also included a unique test of compatibility, imagining who she would prefer to be stuck with on a long journey, ensuring team cohesion and resilience 7.