Louis Zezeran

Health Founders Estonia (HFE) is the official government-backed operator of Estonia's healthtech ecosystem.

Now on their second batch of startups, I was asked to come in and run their kick off day, which brings the teams together for the first time and introduces them to the program. The first year we did it down south in Kääriku and this year in Ülemiste.

I have run these days as a version of the Combat Ready Leadership training course. In this program, the teams need to exercise the principles of Extreme Ownership: they need to take charge of their success, mentors and advisors are there to help but won't hold your hand.

We start by understanding that while they represent different startups, they are in this program together and when the team wins, they will win. The first step is building relationships between teams as this is what will be the foundation for success, no team will be successful on their own.

I start with a 1 hour keynote and Q&A on the 4 Laws of Combat Leadership and the principles of Extreme Ownership. The rest of the day is very practical activities where the students look at their own struggles, then share those struggles with the group. This seemingly simple activity gives us insight into what others find difficult and thusly how we may support them. When we support others first, we help everyone win.

I still give Combat Ready trainings and I am an Echelon Front Certified Instructor. I think the material is so practical and I love to see the lightbulbs go off as these ideas are explained.

Where possible my mini dachshund “Venom” joins us and he seems to light up the room for everyone.

Photos by capturewithcarolina.ee