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James Greaves
FinTech executive | Co-Founder Fractal | Board Member Persimmony
James Greaves is a seasoned executive in the Fintech and SaaS industries with over two decades of experience.1 He is currently associated with Fractal, where he holds the position of Co-Founder and President.1
Professional Background
James has built his career working across five different companies in the Fintech and SaaS sectors.1 His extensive experience in these fields has likely contributed to his current leadership role at Fractal.
Education
James Greaves received his education from Brigham Young University.1 While the specific degree or field of study is not mentioned in the available information, his educational background has undoubtedly played a role in shaping his professional journey.
LinkedIn Presence
James maintains an active LinkedIn profile under the username "iamjamesgreaves".1 This profile serves as a platform for him to showcase his professional achievements and connect with others in his industry.
It's worth noting that there are multiple professionals named James Greaves on LinkedIn2, but the one we're discussing here is specifically associated with Fractal and has the unique username "iamjamesgreaves".
Highlights
This is a model I teach all my teams. It's a game changer in answering "what should I do today to make my company / job better." And it's really simple.
Mindset > Team > Systems > Tactics
Most people have this wrong: Moving higher in an organization means you have to use completely different skills, not just do more of what just got you promoted.
If you're a senior leader in the weeds you're not helping, you're in the way. You're harming your team. I have never seen a case when this isn't true.
Tactics (fighting fires, doing the "day job" is fine)
But Systems are better (creating repeatable systems, automation, and processes that stop issues before they happen and rapidly deal with them once they do).
Of course, attracting Talent is better than that. They're the people that build, and run Systems. Finding, empowering, and managing Talent is a higher-leverage activity than putting in Systems.
And changing Mindset is more important than attracting people. Unleashing the potential within your Talent is a higher-leverage activity.
There are three reasons people don't move through the chain:
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Most of us want to hang out at the last level in the chain because that's where we're comfortable.
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Each of these is a very different skillset.
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The lower you are on the chain, the more it "feels like work" and the more indispensable you feel by being there
You have to master each level sequentially, then ADD THE SKILLS of the next:
Dealing with fires doesn't teach you learn how to build systems. But it does tell you what systems are needed. Take that knowledge and learn to build.
Building systems doesn't teach you how to hire people. But it does tell you what people are needed. Take that knowledge and learn to hire.
Hiring good people doesn't teach you how to win hearts and minds. But it does tell you what mindset is needed. Take that knowledge and learn to inspire.
Takeaway: Every leader has a duty to move as high in the leverage chain as they are able, every day.
If your company is stuck, it's because you're hanging out too low on the chain.
It's taken me a while to find the words and the heart to write this. Two weeks ago we lost Mike Zook, a good friend and an incredible human being. His passing, at the age of 28, has rocked the entire Persimmony Software team.
Mike was an incredible human. He'd overcome huge obstacles and was an example of tenacity and maturity beyond his years. He was a good friend.
In his personal life, Mike was also a phenomenal guitarist and musician and he was dangerously good at jiu-jitsu (literally).
Mike was hit by a car at an intersection while on his motorcycle. He died at the scene.
My last interaction with him had been a Teams chat about a sales meeting he was about to attend. He told me he'd update me on Monday. By Monday he was gone. Such a trivial thing.
I'm glad to have known you Mike.
(Picture: Mike being a cheese at our last offsite)
