A Field Guide about the Workplace, its Leaders, and Becoming Better.

I'm excited to share with you knowledge, resources, and cool things that I've encountered with a focus on helping us all become better as leaders. My intention is that this will not be another monthly newsletter but rather a "Field Guide" that will help you improve your work product and give you actionable data and resources that can be immediately applied. We will be refining as we go so feedback, suggestions, and contributions are more than welcome. Enjoy!

From the desk of Jesse Freese

As AI floods our work with answers, I’m doubling down on what matters most: trusted relationships. We built StartupExperts so none of us has to know everything—we just need access to people who do. Next week at the Responsive Conference in Oakland, I’m speaking about how to offload complexity to reliable human and digital networks to make better decisions. If you’ll be there, come to my Wednesday talk and our post-session happy hour across the street (live music, magicians, karaoke). Use code StartupExperts50 for 50% off.

The StartupExperts community is closing out Q3 with incredible momentum — from welcoming 40+ new members each month, to wrapping up our AI Learning Journey and launching new initiatives like the Go-Giver Book Club. We’re also closing out the year with our Becoming Better with StartupExperts podcast series, spotlighting 25 Leaders to Follow in 2025. It’s been a season of growth, learning, and connection — and we’re just getting started.

Stay in the loop, plug in, and spot what’s ahead. 🚀

Here’s a quick rundown of interesting reads and insights we found valuable this month:

Plus, we’re spotlighting a few standout community members making an impact—you’ll definitely want to meet them and follow their work!

September is packed with ways to connect, recharge, and learn—build your own no-code AI agent in NYC, mingle at our Bay Area and SoCal Summer Happy Hour, and tune in online for sessions on consulting/CEO skillsets, and turning relationships into revenue. A few highlights:

By: Robin Zander, Executive Director of Responsive Org

In this month’s feature, Responsive Conference’s Executive Director Robin Zander argues that organizations built for predictability won’t survive an unpredictable world. Drawing on experiences from Fortune 100 sales to nonprofit edtech, the San Francisco Opera, and even a neighborhood restaurant, Robin shows how enduring structures and habits slow us down when speed and adaptability matter most.

That’s why this year’s theme—Design for Change—focuses on practical ways leaders can build organizations that learn faster, execute quicker, and center relationships. The invitation is clear: embrace new operating models, experiment boldly, and help shape the future of work—together.