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I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M DOING!: How a Programmer Became a Successful Startup CEO Kindle Edition

by David Thielen (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 11 ratings
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What does it take to be a great CEO? At one time or another, every person in management has asked this question as they climb the corporate ladder. They look at the ones who have come before them, wondering what thoughts are cultivated in the corner office – but the truth is, there is no way to train for the role of CEO. There is a life raft, though, that can help you anticipate what comes next.

David Thielen, former founder and CEO of Windward Studios, uses his unique perspective on what is involved when you are a CEO – which is radically different from any other management job you may have held in the past. ‘I Don’t Know What I Am Doing!’ is Thielen’s journey, navigating challenges and opportunities he encountered while growing Windward. Each page is thoughtfully written, including brutal honesty about his mistakes while growing the company- which is rarely included in books about business.

Most CEOs accumulate experience over years of trial and error – leaving new CEOs to be thrown to the sharks with no preparation until now. Thielen’s book was written with the “if I knew then what I know now” attitude and that making mistakes is normal – even when your future looks bleak. When he assumed the CEO role, he didn’t know what he was doing, and now that he has become successful – he’s sharing the insight he gained with others as a roadmap to building their own successes as a CEO.

David Thielen
David Thielen is a transformational CEO with over two decades of experience devising and delivering comprehensive strategies in growth-oriented environments that drive business development, streamline daily operations, and promote company values. He is the former CEO and founder of Windward Studios, which he built and grew from the ground up with no funding. Windward Studios became one of the largest document generator applications prior to its acquisition in 2021. Thielen wrote ‘I Don’t Know What I Am Doing!’ to pay it forward – showing how brutally hard it is to be a CEO and offering his unique insight to make the journey a little bit easier.

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  1. Print length
    229 pages
  2. Language
    English
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  4. Publication date
    July 5, 2023
  5. File size
    673 KB
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CB9K8PYN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (July 5, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 5, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 673 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 229 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 11 ratings

About the author

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David Thielen

David Thielen

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I’m a transformational Chief Executive Officer with over 20 years of experience in devising and delivering comprehensive strategies in growth-oriented environments that drive business development, streamline daily operations, and promote company value.

At Windward Studios I established and built a software company from the ground up, growing it into one of the largest document generator applications prior to acquisition. We developed and launched an innovative product that provided clients with a modern and custom program to design complex document templates in a simplified manner.

Windward was created and grown with no funding. That is incredibly rare.

My recent book, I Don't Know What I'm Doing! is my effort to pay it forward. Learning to be an effective CEO is brutally hard. I hope this book makes it a bit easier.

I am writing more on this topic at my blog - https://ceobook.substack.com

Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
11 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Winter M. Riley
5.0 out of 5 stars A masterclass in raw honesty and invaluable insights that stem from real-world experiences.
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
In the vast sea of business literature, David Thielen's book emerges as a refreshing lighthouse for those navigating the tumultuous waves of CEO responsibilities.

What sets this book apart is its candid portrayal of mistakes. While most business books tout the successes and achievements of their protagonists, Thielen lays his cards on the table, inviting readers to learn not just from his triumphs but also from his failures. This openhearted approach demystifies the role of a CEO, making it accessible and relatable.

The message is clear: If you're a CEO, you will make mistakes. That's a given. But it's how you grow from them and how you lead your team through them that defines your journey. David's introspective account reassures readers that they're not alone in their doubts, fears, and insecurities, providing solace in shared experiences.

This book is not just for CEOs. For anyone looking to understand the intricate mind workings of the person in the corner office or hoping to manage up effectively, Thielen's insights are a golden treasure.

In essence, this book is a testament to the fact that the path to leadership is not always paved with clear directions and predefined milestones. It's a mix of intuition, hard work, resilience, and, yes, mistakes. David Thielen delivers a seminal work that is both a guidebook and a companion for those brave enough to venture into the world of startups and leadership.

Highly recommended!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A practical real world guide for anyone starting a business and the growing pains of the CEO role.
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
Dave gives immense insight into the tough problems that one encounters when bootstrapping a company and the challenges that are presented in the CEO role. Not only does he cover the early stages of a startup and the important questions you need to ask yourself before jumping into to such a venture but also the continuing questions you need to ask yourself along the way. From startup to growth stage to a successful mid size company Dave shares his personal experience and the lessons not advertised in any MBA course but should be mandatory before starting out on your own. If you want a shortcut from the hard choices and lessons you will learn along the way to creating and building your successful company, read this book first.
2 people found this helpful
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ActiveReader
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Advice Learned from Experience Which Could Apply in Multitude of Professions
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
Sound advice from author who navigated high tech field as CEO without Venture Capital backing and built a successful company. Dave explains pitfalls, including mess-ups with hiring decisions and bluntly details other well-learned lessons. His experiences and advice are applicable to many areas as well as startups.
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Anthony Avina
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Enlightening...A Must-Read!
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2023
More and more these days, people are having a difficult time finding steady work, and so many take the initiative to start their own businesses. The people who are able to make a successful run at building an actual company find themselves the CEO of their own business, and that can be a stressful experience. The author does an amazing job of capturing the path to becoming a CEO and how to bring that all together.

The straightforward and unapologetic way the author tackles the issues that will arise for newcomers to the role of CEO was fantastic to see in this book. The detailed and knowledgeable way the author presents this information touches the reader’s mind and heart, as you can feel the mental and emotional experiences the author had going forward in their line of work.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and Insightful
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2023
Insightful view of the ups and downs of running your own company. Provides details and thoughtful commentary on issues only someone who has lived through the process can give. Undemanding and straightforward, Dave's book could be a useful tool for all entrepreneurs, whether you're looking to start a business, or you are already neck deep in the chaos that running a business can bring.
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Frank
5.0 out of 5 stars an honest account of Dave's experience as CEO
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2023
I Don't Know What I'm Doing" by David Thielen is an exceptional guide tailored specifically for aspiring CEOs, offering a roadmap to success amidst the complexities of executive leadership. As a long time Windward employee, I enjoyed reading about Daves experienceas CEO. Anyone aspiring to embark on starting a company could certainly learn from his experiences.

Dave provides an honest and relatable account of his own journey as a CEO, making it easy for aspiring leaders to connect with the experiences and lessons he shares. The book opens a window into the inner workings of executive decision-making, shedding ligh on moments of doubt, uncertainty, and success.
2 people found this helpful
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I. Corson
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent insight!
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2023
David Thielen shares his experiences with incredible honesty and insight. He learned many valuable lessons along the way and shares them with readers.

Highly recommend!
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Top reviews from other countries

Peter G
5.0 out of 5 stars A cleared-eyed analysis for developing CEOs
Reviewed in Australia on August 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
I liked the honesty and good humour of this book. As a former startup CEO myself the anecdotes are universal and delivered in the spirit of practical usefulness rather than being clouded with theory. I reflect on my own career and see my own wins and struggles here. We’ll done David!
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