LoopOS has joined the 7ᵗʰ edition of the Scaling-Up Program by Unicorn Factory Lisboa, joining a cohort of ambitious teams selected to take part in this national initiative, recently featured in Forbes Portugal!

The program is structured around eight focused Upskilling Modules and in the first of these, we had the opportunity to dive into a fresh perspective on leadership and talent strategy, guided by the mentorship of Steve Cadigan.

Leadership development for scale-ups is a critical ingredient for startups aiming to scale. At LoopOS, we recently had the opportunity to experience this firsthand through our participation in the first Upskilling Module of the Scaling-Up Program by Unicorn Factory Lisboa.

Led by Steve Cadigan, LinkedIn's first Chief HR Officer and a globally recognized expert in talent strategy, the session focused on agile leadership, culture building and strategies for developing high-performing teams in high-growth environments.

For a day and a half, we immersed ourselves in insights, conversations, and reflections that left us energized and ready to lead with clarity and purpose.

It was more than just a workshop - it was a powerful leadership experience that challenged our thinking, broadened our perspective, and gave us the tools to scale intentionally and sustainably.

Why Leadership Development Matters in Fast-Growth Scale-Ups

Operating at startup speed often means putting out fires, hitting growth targets, and pivoting when needed. But amid that pace, one thing is often overlooked: structured leadership development.

Yet for scale-up leadership teams, it’s one of the most critical ingredients for long-term success. Leadership in scale-ups is not a theoretical concept - it’s a skillset that must be nurtured. Especially in fast-growth environments, strong leadership provides direction, nurtures alignment, and builds the cultural foundations that support sustainable scaling.

Throughout this module, it became clear how leadership practices influence daily operations, shape team behaviors, and establish norms that define company culture in scale-ups. As Steve framed it, "Culture is how people behave when the boss isn’t in the room" - a reminder that leadership is present in every action, whether visible or not.

Key Leadership Lessons from the Upskilling Module

1. Embracing Agile Leadership: A Mindset for Growth and Adaptability

Agility isn’t just about product development sprints or feedback loops. It’s a leadership mindset. Steve challenged us to embrace ambiguity, stay curious, and view change as an opportunity - not a disruption. In a scale-up, where pivots are part of the journey, this mindset is essential.

We discussed how agile leadership involves:

• Making space for experimentation, where teams are encouraged to test ideas without fear of failure.
• Encouraging open dialogue that fosters transparency, alignment, and the confidence to speak up.
• Accepting that not every decision will be perfect, but learning and iteration drive progress.

These behaviors create resilient, motivated teams who are ready to adapt, grow, and move forward together toward a shared vision.

2. Culture is Built Intentionally, or Not at All

Every company has a culture, either by design or by default. One of the most powerful takeaways from the session was the idea that culture must be actively designed and reinforced.

This involves:

• Being clear about values and behaviors, so everyone understands what is expected and what the company stands for.
• Hiring people who align with those values, ensuring cultural fit and long-term engagement from day one.
• Recognizing and rewarding behaviors that reinforce the culture, helping to sustain the right actions and make the culture visible and lived.

Steve emphasized that company culture in scale-ups isn’t static. As the team grows, the culture must adapt while staying grounded in core principles. If you don’t evolve it intentionally, it will evolve without you. For scale-up leadership teams, this means staying proactive and consistent.

3. Great Leadership is About Creating Environments for Others to Succeed

One of the most memorable moments of the session was Steve’s reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating the right environment for people to thrive.

This can take many forms, such as:

• Removing barriers that slow teams down or create unnecessary friction.
• Offering clarity and direction, so teams can align on priorities and move confidently.
• Building trust-based relationships where feedback and vulnerability are encouraged.
• Empowering team members to take ownership of their work, decisions, and impact.

This insight highlighted the importance of designing environments where teams can grow and succeed together. Effective leadership training for startup teams should prioritize collaboration, autonomy, and collective ownership as key drivers of performance.

Why Event-Based Upskilling Works

While digital learning and online courses have their place, nothing replaces the depth and impact of in-person, event-based upskilling. Programs like Unicorn Factory Lisboa’s provide:

• Dedicated time for reflection and strategic thinking
• High-quality mentorship and networking with people who have been where we are and are living proof that growth and transformation are possible
• A shared learning journey with peers facing similar challenges

For scale-up leadership teams, these real-time experiences help translate learning into action and set the foundation for intentional growth.

From Learning to Action: What We're Doing at LoopOS

Following this first module, we’ve already started turning key takeaways into practice across our teams. Concretely, we’ve been working on:

• Reassessing our internal values and how we communicate them.
• Embedding leadership development into team check-ins and planning cycles.
• Creating more space for feedback and experimentation in our culture.

We're also committed to making leadership a shared responsibility, not just something tied to titles. 

Everyone has the potential to lead, and it’s our job to unlock that potential!

Scaling with Intention

Our experience at the Unicorn Factory Lisboa Upskilling Module reminded us that scaling is not just about growth, it’s about growing with intention! Leadership, culture, and talent development are not soft topics. They’re strategic levers that determine whether growth is sustainable or chaotic.

We’re grateful for this opportunity, and excited for the next stages of the program. As we move forward, we’ll continue investing in leadership, not just for ourselves, but for the success of our entire team!

To other scale-ups looking to grow: don’t wait until it’s urgent to invest in leadership. The time to build the foundation is now.

Want to learn more about how LoopOS supports scaling companies with visibility, collaboration and sustainability? [Explore our platform here].