At the heart of every scalable startup is a forward-thinking leader. While product-market fit and funding often get the spotlight, it’s innovative leadership practices that determine long-term success. At Lateral Solutions, we help businesses lead with curiosity, clarity, and a commitment to cultural alignment.
Innovative leaders aren’t just problem solvers—they’re opportunity creators. They challenge assumptions, embrace ambiguity, and empower teams to think differently. This mindset fuels:
Agile decision-making
Creative problem-solving
Cross-functional collaboration
Our founder, Jon Bassford, explores this deeply in his book, The Curious Leader, emphasizing that curiosity is the catalyst for innovation.
Startups often hit a growth ceiling—not because of bad ideas, but because of outdated leadership models. Our approach encourages:
Flat communication structures
Empowerment through accountability
Strategic delegation
Through our executive coaching, leaders learn how to build scalable systems without micromanaging.
Culture is not an afterthought—it’s your startup’s immune system. It protects your values, accelerates trust, and ensures your vision is carried out consistently. But scaling culture requires intentionality:
Clear mission and values
Rituals that reinforce behavior
Hiring practices aligned with purpose
A recent client—a SaaS company preparing for Series A—worked with us to implement innovative leadership practices. The results?
A 30% increase in team productivity
Alignment across departments within 60 days
A scalable hiring framework built around core values
If you’re ready to scale with clarity, confidence, and culture, let’s talk. Book a free consultation or explore more in our blog and speaking engagements.
JD, MBA, CAE
Jon Bassford, JD, MBA, CAE, is an expert in curiosity-driven leadership. Not your typical operations professional, Jon has applied his curiosity to launch, manage, and improve operations for organizations ranging from venture-backed startups to global nonprofits with far-reaching impact.
At the heart of our work lies a passion for empowering businesses to scale efficiently and thrive in today’s competitive landscape.