When I interviewed Matt Markel for this episode of Never Been Promoted, I knew we were going to cover some valuable lessons about entrepreneurship, but I didn’t expect it to hit so close to home. Matt isn’t your typical tech CEO who only talks shop; he’s lived the grind, pivoted at the right moments, and knows what it takes to turn innovative ideas into a successful business. It was one of those conversations that reminded me how much the journey matters, no matter what industry you’re in.
Matt’s story stuck with me because it’s not just about building tech or leading a company—it’s about knowing yourself and staying grounded in your strengths. And honestly, that’s something every entrepreneur could use a little more of. We talked about two main things that felt like core principles of success: knowing when to pivot and the importance of self-awareness in leadership. Here’s what I took away from our conversation.
The Power of a Well-Timed Pivot: Turning Tech into a Product
One of the things that grabbed my attention was how Matt helped Spartan Radar transition from a company focused on research and development (R&D) to a product-driven business. When Matt came in, Spartan Radar had some amazing technology, but they weren’t selling anything. It was up to him to shift the company’s focus from endless R&D to actually getting products into the hands of customers.
Matt made it clear that if you’re just sitting on ideas and not moving forward, you’re missing the point. “You’ve got to turn all that R&D into something people want to buy. You can’t just have cool tech; you’ve got to make it marketable.” This hit home for me because, as an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get stuck in the planning phase. Matt didn’t just come in and say, “Let’s do more research”—he pushed them toward action.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Focus on Execution: Ideas are only worth something if you turn them into products that solve problems. Matt said it best: “You’ve got to move from ideas to action if you want to make money.”
- Bring in the Right People: Matt wasn’t the founder of Spartan Radar. He was brought in because the company needed leadership that knew how to take it to the next level. Sometimes, the right move is bringing in someone who knows what you don’t.
- Shift from Building to Selling: Matt talked about taking Spartan Radar from a focus on R&D to one centered on sales. “We had all this great tech, but what good is it if nobody’s buying?”
Leadership is About Self-Awareness: Know Your Strengths (and Your Limits)
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a business—it’s about building yourself. Matt’s career has taken him from working on defense contracts at Raytheon to leading radar teams at Google and now running Spartan Radar. Each of those moves required a deep understanding of who he was and what he wanted. One thing Matt said stuck with me: “I thought I’d end my career in defense, but I realized it wasn’t where I was meant to be. That self-awareness changed everything for me.”
Matt knew when it was time to pivot, not just for the sake of the business, but for himself. That’s a powerful lesson for any entrepreneur. We often think we need to do everything ourselves, but the truth is, knowing when to step back is just as important as knowing when to push forward.
What I Learned from His Experience:
- Delegate to Thrive: Matt stressed that trying to do everything is a recipe for burnout. “If you don’t delegate, you’re just spinning your wheels.” It’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way, and hearing Matt say it reminded me how crucial it is to trust your team.
- Know When It’s Time to Move On: Whether it’s from a project or a career path, knowing when something isn’t working anymore is key. Matt walked away from a successful career in defense because he knew it wasn’t where he wanted to be anymore.
- Stick to What Makes You Happy: Matt talked about how different phases of a business require different kinds of leadership. Some entrepreneurs love the early startup grind, while others prefer scaling businesses once they hit a certain size. “You’ve got to know what part of the journey makes you happy and stick with that.”
Reflections from the Interview
Matt’s approach to leadership is rooted in knowing himself and being willing to grind it out day after day. That’s the reality of entrepreneurship—there’s no magic formula, no shortcut. You’ve got to show up and put in the work.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Grit Is Non-Negotiable: Matt was blunt about the grind. “You’ve got to be ready to take a punch and get back up every day.” Success doesn’t come easy, and anyone telling you otherwise is selling something.
- Trust Your Team: Building a great company isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about finding the right people and trusting them to get the job done.
- Stay Disciplined: Whether it’s sticking to a process or staying focused on your goals, discipline is key.
- Be Willing to Pivot: Don’t be afraid to shift gears when something isn’t working. Matt’s entire career is a testament to the power of a well-timed pivot.
- Know When You’re in Over Your Head: Sometimes, the best move you can make is stepping aside and letting someone else take the reins.
Final Thoughts
Matt’s story reminded me that entrepreneurship is as much about personal growth as it is about business growth. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind, but if you’re not constantly reflecting on where you are and where you want to be, you’ll lose sight of the bigger picture. Matt’s journey is a great example of what it looks like to stay persistent, stay self-aware, and keep grinding—even when things get tough.
If you want to hear more about Matt’s journey and learn from his experience, be sure to check out the full episode of Never Been Promoted: Can Job Security Be a Myth? | Matt Markel
CONNECT WITH MATT MARKEL:
Website (Company): www.spartanradar.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/matt-markel