When your company gets acquired, approach it as if you're starting a new role. Proactively build connections across the broader organization, integrate into new operating rhythms, and demonstrate value beyond your original product team. Keep doors open—larger organizations offer opportunities that may not have existed at your startup.

Harmony launched Superhuman's biggest campaign ever within six weeks of joining, pushing through the holidays because the seasonal moment was right. The campaign's success proved that capitalizing on timing can outweigh waiting for perfection. In fast-moving markets, boldness and speed create competitive advantage.

Hire people who can solve problems without hand-holding, ask the right questions, and adapt to ambiguity—even if they only have half the required experience. At startups where job descriptions change every 12 hours, the ability to navigate uncertainty matters more than checking every skill box.

Before joining any startup, evaluate companies across a structured framework covering product-market fit, AI-native capabilities, team culture, remote flexibility, and growth stage. This systematic approach prevents costly mistakes and ensures alignment on what matters most to your career trajectory.

Being bold works when you consistently deliver on targets. Harmony negotiated space for speed and risk-taking by meeting growth goals, which gave her credibility to push back on perfection paralysis. Outcomes-driven results create permission for aggressive marketing tactics.

Instead of hiring traditional content marketers, restructure teams around editors who guide AI-generated content and ensure it doesn't sound robotic. This headcount tradeoff allows investment in higher-leverage roles like product marketing or growth, while maintaining content output through scaled AI writing.

Rather than billboard messaging like "AI productivity suite," focus on tangible value propositions backed by data: "4 fewer hours in email per week" or "2x your email response time." Specificity and measurable outcomes cut through the noise in oversaturated markets.

When working with quality-obsessed leaders, find the middle ground between bold execution and craftsmanship. Acknowledge that customer-centricity and perfection matter, but negotiate on where speed can accelerate impact without sacrificing core brand values.