Top CEOs have coaches behind the scenes.
Executives Unplugged takes you into those rooms for candid conversations with leaders about how they find clarity in the chaos. We distill the systems and mindsets required to navigate high-stakes decisions and build world-class companies.
Top CEOs have coaches behind the scenes.
Executives Unplugged takes you into those rooms for candid conversations with leaders about how they find clarity in the chaos. We distill the systems and mindsets required to navigate high-stakes decisions and build world-class companies.
Matt Blumberg reveals why he bans slides, forces independent directors to audition for a seat, and uses AI to simulate Steve Jobs in the boardroom.
For many founders, the board meeting is a dreaded time sink full of status updates and glazed eyes. In this episode Matt Blumberg, the CEO of Markup AI and author of Startup Boards, breaks down how to turn your board meetings into your ultimate strategy session. Matt shares the story of a "perfect" board candidate who failed a live audition, the "Rule of Ones" that will lead to an effective board composition, and why he strictly forbids slides during meetings.
He also reveals a new experiment: using AI agents to simulate a "Fantasy Board" meeting with personalities like Steve Jobs and Warren Buffett to stress-test decisions before the real directors show up.
Executives will come away with a playbook to stop reporting and start using their board to build the business.
00:00 — The No Slides Rule
02:04 — Turning the eye roll into strategy
03:20 — The Audition: Making directors do the work
06:58 — How to reference check your VCs
08:59 — The "Rule of Ones" for board composition
13:25 — Stop writing 50-page board decks
17:24 — Specific rules for better conversations
20:58 — Inside the Markup AI pivot
23:05 — The "Fantasy Board": Simulating Steve Jobs with AI
26:19 — How to fire a board member
28:17 — Why every CEO should sit on another board
Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattblumberg/
Shoutouts
Startup Boards: https://www.amazon.com/Startup-Boards-Building-Effective-Directors/dp/111985928X
Markup AI: https://markup.ai
Fred Wilson: https://avc.xyz
Mike Collins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-collins-362100/
Follow Keith Cowing on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/keithcowing
Join the Executives Unplugged inner circle: https://kc.coach
Subscribe to the show:
YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@kcowing
Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/1Bw7KhjlUzFjMoFhdfNAKN Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/executives-unplugged/id1769131263