The Human FounderThe power of authentic leadership: Adina Eckstein’s approach to leadership and growth
The Human Founder
The power of authentic leadership: Adina Eckstein’s approach to leadership and growth
As part of her day job, Executive Coach Gali Bloch Liran helps founders, CEOs, and investors develop the right skills and mentality. Her podcast takes us through the roller coaster of vulnerability, humanity, and the personalities of these "top dogs" of business and tech
In this episode of The Human Founder, I had the pleasure of speaking with Adina Eckstein, the COO of Lemonade. We delved into her journey of scaling the company from a small team to a global operation, where she emphasized the importance of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) in aligning the organization’s strategic goals. Adina’s focus on integrating top-down objectives with bottom-up execution has enabled Lemonade to remain adaptable to change while ensuring that each team member is working toward clear and measurable outcomes.
Ep 153 - Adina Eckstein, COO at Lemonade
Empowering People and Creating a Collaborative Culture
She shared how empowering people and fostering authentic connections drives her leadership. Adina believes that when individuals feel valued and supported, they naturally perform at their best, which has shaped the collaborative culture at Lemonade. For her, it’s not just about hitting targets but ensuring that the people behind the work are thriving.
Navigating Transitions and Staying Resilient
We also explored some of the major transitions Adina navigated as COO, including Lemonade’s IPO and the challenges of adapting to a post-pandemic world. Her ability to foresee changes and keep the company resilient in the face of uncertainty is a testament to her forward-thinking leadership. Adina shared how she focused on maintaining employee motivation and stability during times of market volatility, proving that staying true to long-term goals is essential.
Strong Female Leadership Network
A particularly inspiring aspect of our chat was how Lemonade has grown into a strong female-led company, with many of the senior leadership roles held by women. Adina explained how this organic growth has created a supportive network of female leaders who bring out the best in each other, contributing to both the personal growth of these women and the business’s success.
Work - Life Balance
Adina also opened up about balancing her professional role as COO with being a mother of three. She highlighted how her genuine love for people and her passion for empowering others fuels her ability to manage both work and family life. It was clear throughout our conversation that her strength lies in her ability to connect with her team on a human level, while maintaining her strategic leadership.
Authenticity as the Core of Leadership
To me, the most striking part of Adina’s journey is her commitment to authenticity. Her leadership is deeply rooted in staying true to her values, which she believes is the foundation of long-term success. From her personal life decisions to her professional path, Adina’s courage to embrace change and empower others is a guiding principle for her, and it’s something that left a lasting impression on me.
Adina’s journey highlights the power of authentic leadership, emphasizing the importance of empowering people while staying adaptable in the face of change. Her ability to balance strategic vision with a genuine care for her team sets a strong example for leaders navigating both personal and professional growth.
Gali Bloch Liran is the Founder & CEO of The Human Founder; Executive Coach & Startup Advisor; Entrepreneurship Lecturer at Reichman University; Host of The Human Founder Podcast
