Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary: Episode with Josh Jubal – "Bridging the Academic-Entrepreneurial Divide"

Release Date: December 24, 2024

Introduction to Josh Jubal and His Background

In this episode of Chief Change Officer, host Vince Chan welcomes Josh Jubal, the Managing Director of Yale Ventures. Josh provides an overview of his diverse career path, which spans corporate roles at IBM, entrepreneurial ventures, public sector service during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his current position at Yale University. He shares his journey from an MBA graduate at Yale School of Management to leading innovation initiatives that bridge academia and entrepreneurship.

Career Drivers: Impact and Challenges

Timestamp: [06:51]

When asked about the main drivers behind his career transitions, Josh emphasizes two core themes:

1. Impact: "Wanting to be in a position where the work that I was doing was making a useful impact in the world, solving a problem or contributing to solving Problems that I thought were important to solve..." (Josh Jubal, 06:51)

2. Challenges: "Seeking out interesting challenges where I felt like I would learn, where I'd be challenged, where I would have to push myself to get better and to grow..." (Josh Jubal, 06:51)

These drivers have consistently guided him through various roles, ensuring that each move contributes to both personal growth and societal benefit.

Transition from IBM to Startup

Timestamp: [10:33]

Josh discusses his decision to leave IBM after 11 rewarding years to join a startup as the 16th employee. He reflects on the allure of entrepreneurial environments: "A lot of the real impactful change that happens in business and society often is driven by smaller, disruptive kind of entrepreneurial startups. And that I wanted to experience, that I wanted to contribute to, that, be part of that." (Josh Jubal, 10:33)

He highlights the appeal of dynamic challenges and the desire to be part of disruptive innovation as key factors in his transition.

Managing Cultural Shift in Career Transitions

Timestamp: [12:06]

Transitioning from a global corporation to a startup presented significant cultural challenges. Josh describes the experience as "rather dramatic," noting both the benefits and the heightened risks. He reflects on the chaotic nature of startups: "Every day presents new challenges, but it was great. That's what I wanted and I wanted that kind of very dynamic challenge and I got it." (Josh Jubal, 12:06)

This shift required adaptability and a willingness to embrace uncertainty in pursuit of growth and innovation.

Role in Connecticut's COVID-19 Health Response

Timestamp: [14:18]

Josh details his tenure as Chief Operating Officer for the State of Connecticut during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally focused on modernizing state operations through technology, his role expanded significantly when the pandemic struck. He describes the experience as:

• Leadership in Crisis: "Leading the state through to overall very good outcomes relative to a lot of our neighboring states..." (Josh Jubal, 16:12)

• Balancing Competing Forces: Managing various stakeholders and ensuring effective communication amidst uncertainty.

His efforts contributed to Connecticut's successful navigation of the pandemic, demonstrating his capacity to lead under unprecedented pressure.

Strategies for Managing Multi-Stakeholder Relationships

Timestamp: [21:05]

In discussing his approach to handling diverse stakeholders, Josh emphasizes:

1. Integrity and Trust: "Making sure that everybody you're working with knows that you're operating with integrity and that you're operating in good faith..." (Josh Jubal, 21:05)

2. Active Listening: Understanding different perspectives to find common ground, enhancing collaboration even amid conflicting agendas.

3. Clear Communication: Articulating a clear vision that stakeholders can understand and support, fostering alignment towards collective objectives.

These strategies have been pivotal in his roles across various sectors, ensuring effective collaboration and successful outcomes.

Contributions to Yale's Innovation Ecosystem

Timestamp: [22:52]

As Managing Director of Yale Ventures, Josh outlines his daily responsibilities, which include:

• Supporting Academic Entrepreneurs: Assisting PhD scientists in translating academic research into viable business ideas. He notes the challenge of adapting academic presentations to resonate with investors and potential team members.

• Facilitating Connections: Bridging faculty and students with investors, potential co-founders, and early employees to kickstart ventures.

• Educational Programs: Developing initiatives that prepare students for entrepreneurial careers, whether they choose to found startups or pursue other paths.

Josh's role is crucial in nurturing Yale's innovation ecosystem, fostering collaboration between academia and industry to drive impactful innovations.

Career Advice for MBA Students and Entrepreneurs

Timestamp: [25:18]

Josh offers the following advice to MBA students and aspiring entrepreneurs:

1. Work with Inspiring Leaders: "Try to work especially early in your career, for people who you're really inspired by, who you think you can learn a ton from." (Josh Jubal, 25:18)

2. Focus on Excellence: "Focus more than anything else on doing the best possible job that you can in the role that you're in today." (Josh Jubal, 25:18)

3. Patience and Persistence: Encouraging young professionals to balance ambition with patience, trusting that dedication and high performance will lead to future opportunities.

Recommended Reading for Entrepreneurs

Timestamp: [27:19]

Josh recommends the following authors and works for those interested in entrepreneurship:

• Nassim Nicholas Taleb: Specifically "Fooled by Randomness," "The Black Swan," and "Antifragile." Josh finds Taleb's insights on risk and probability influential.

• Paul Graham: Founder of Y Combinator, whose essays on innovation and entrepreneurship are highly recommended for their practical wisdom.

These readings provide valuable perspectives on navigating uncertainty and fostering innovation.

Future Career Plans and Current Focus

Timestamp: [29:13]

When asked about future career aspirations, Josh expresses contentment and passion for his current role at Yale Ventures. He states:

"I absolutely love ... being in a position where I can give back to others who are just starting that journey is I find incredibly rewarding and challenging, engaging and I love that aspect of it." (Josh Jubal, 29:13)

He envisions continuing to support faculty and students in translating research into impactful businesses, emphasizing the limitless potential for learning and growth in this capacity.

Conclusion

In this insightful episode, Josh Jubal shares his multifaceted career journey, emphasizing the importance of impact, adaptability, and effective stakeholder management. His experiences across corporate, entrepreneurial, and public sectors provide valuable lessons for listeners navigating their own career paths. Through his role at Yale Ventures, Josh exemplifies the bridge between academic innovation and entrepreneurial execution, fostering an environment where groundbreaking ideas can thrive and make meaningful contributions to society.

For those interested in the intersection of academia and entrepreneurship, Josh's experiences and advice offer a roadmap for leveraging education and innovation to effect positive change.

Notable Quotes

• "Wanting to be in a position where the work that I was doing was making a useful impact in the world..." – Josh Jubal [06:51]

• "A lot of the real impactful change that happens in business and society often is driven by smaller, disruptive kind of entrepreneurial startups..." – Josh Jubal [10:33]

• "Leading the state through to overall very good outcomes relative to a lot of our neighboring states..." – Josh Jubal [16:12]

• "Making sure that everybody you're working with knows that you're operating with integrity and that you're operating in good faith..." – Josh Jubal [21:05]

• "I absolutely love ... being in a position where I can give back to others who are just starting that journey..." – Josh Jubal [29:13]

Connect with Chief Change Officer

Subscribe to the Chief Change Officer podcast on Listen Notes, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Follow Vince Chan on LinkedIn.