4 Leadership Lessons from Trellis Co-Founder Taylor Francis
From his early teenage years, Taylor Francis embarked on a mission to combat climate change, a journey that eventually led him to co-found the carbon tracking startup, Watershed. Today, the San Francisco-based enterprise, valued at $1.8 billion, stands at the forefront of environmental sustainability, offering innovative solutions to track and reduce emissions. Here are four pivotal leadership lessons drawn from Francis’s experiences at Watershed.
1. Customer-Centric Approach
At Watershed, the saying “Be customer-obsessed” is not just a slogan; it’s a principle that drives their operations. Francis emphasizes the importance of keeping customers “front and center” in every decision. This customer-centric approach is evident through Watershed’s dedication to sharing success stories and insights facilitated by their software during company-wide meetings, fostering a culture of achievement and customer impact.
2. Embrace a Flat Hierarchy
Within Watershed’s leadership, traditional titles and hierarchical structures are minimized, a practice inspired by their experience at Stripe. This strategic choice promotes a culture where the focus is placed on the quality of ideas and the work being done, rather than on one’s position within the company. Francis believes in empowering employees closest to the work, ensuring that those who are deeply engaged in the core activities have the freedom to act and make decisions, fostering innovation and responsiveness within the team.
3. Encourage Ownership and Initiative
Watershed actively seeks individuals who are not only prepared to fulfill their roles but are also willing to take ownership and propose ideas beyond their formal job descriptions. Francis finds value in understanding how team members envision making changes if they were in leadership positions, signaling the importance of diverse perspectives and proactive problem-solving in driving the company forward.
4. Focus on Impactful Actions
In an era leaning towards mandatory ESG disclosures, especially with regulations such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive in Europe, Watershed emphasizes the significance of identifying and executing a select set of impactful initiatives. For instance, prioritizing no deforestation for agriculture companies or advocating for manufacturers to source clean power. Francis advises against trying to “boil the ocean” but rather focusing efforts on specific actions that have the potential to drive substantial change in sustainability practices.
Through its innovative software and unique approach to leadership, Watershed has made significant strides in helping companies like Airbnb, FedEx, General Mills, and Walmart track and reduce their emissions. Under the guidance of Taylor Francis and his co-founders, Watershed illustrates the profound impact that dedication, innovative leadership, and a customer-obsessed culture can have on addressing global environmental challenges.
