⚡ $25M for software managing Scope 3 GHG emissions
How to have high-stakes conversations. Find meaning by chasing after fewer things. Five quotes from climate CEOs and investors. (#184)
Welcome to my newsletter from Entrepreneurs for Impact (EFI).
I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors—plus 25 years of meditation practice—to help people fight climate change profitably and maybe even lead a happier life.
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Four topics:
Fly on the wall: Six sound bites from recent chats with CEOs and investors
$25M for software managing Scope 3 GHG emissions
If you want to find the meaning, stop chasing after so many things
How to have high-stakes, high-emotion conversations
1.
Fly on the wall — 6 sound bites from recent chats with CEOs and investors
Here’s a sampling of nuggets I’m re-learning from climate friends over the last week.
Think less about the number of your weaknesses and more about the magnitude of your strengths. — Ernst Sack, Partner at Blue Bear Capital
You need to know whether your product can serve a $100B market or a hundred different $1B markets. They’re very different. — Sarah Russell, CEO of Bellwether and Manager Director at X, the moonshot factory of Alphabet
If you want capital, then ask investors for advice. If you want advice, then ask them for capital. — Sean Kelly, Co-founder and CEO of Amperon
We should consider rethinking our climate language in 2025. Consider these two lenses — (i) Green: “Reforesting America captures gigatons of CO2.” vs. (ii) MAGA: “We’re planting millions of beautiful trees for efficient land management, stronger wildlife habitats, & abundant fishing and hunting.” — Josh Felser, Investor at Climactic and Freestyle
Pressure is privilege. Panic is a problem. — Will Kain, Co-founder and CEO of Avnos
Get agreements and intentions in writing. Our memories are short and imperfect. And fear can devour honor for breakfast. — Source not to be named
🎯 So what?
Don’t reinvent the wheel. You’re not alone.
Learn from others instead of making their same mistakes.
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2.
$25M for software managing Scope 3 GHG emissions + Mindful leadership with compassion.
Tim Weiss, Co-Founder & CEO at Optera, was my guest on a recent Entrepreneurs for Impact (EFI) podcast.
Optera provides a SaaS platform and consulting services to help enterprises manage carbon emissions, focusing on Scope 3 emissions.
Their platform integrates operational and supply chain data to calculate and track emissions, helping clients to align with science-based targets, comply with regulations, and improve sustainability strategies.
They support auto, tech, and retail industries in decarbonizing their value chains and meeting emerging climate disclosure requirements.
🎯 So what?
Listen to the episode and share your thoughts on my LinkedIn post.
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3.
“If you want to find the meaning, stop chasing after so many things.”
This quote comes from Ryokan, a Japanese Zen monk and poet (1758-1831) who lived in a mountain hut near the Sea of Japan.
🎯 So what?
This applies equally to business strategy (“Do less, but with perfection.”) and to personal ambition (“What is enough?”).
It smacks me upside the head most mornings as I review my single page of work goals and life principles.
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4.
How to have high-stakes, high-emotion conversations.
If this sounds like the magic pill you need to swallow, then read this book:
Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler
Here are a few of my MANY notes from reading it.
If you don’t talk it out, you will act it out (in immature ways).
The lag time between an incident and its discussion is a function of trust. The longer it takes, the worse it gets.
The more words it takes to state the issue, the less confident and clear you are in the real issue.
Focus on “me” before “we.” How can I come with the right intention and align on mutual purpose? (Don’t assume the other person needs to bend the knee to your brilliance.)
Start with facts, not your stories about those facts.
Don’t lose your agency in the latrine pit of “clever stories” — (1) I’m the victim. (“It’s not my fault.”) (2) They’re the villain. (“It’s all their fault.”) (3) I’m helpless. (“There’s nothing I can do.”)
Use contrast to create safety in the conversation: “What I’m not saying is X…”
🎯 So what?
Quit avoiding. Stop running. Read this book.
Schedule one difficult conversion in the next 10 days.
That’s all, y’all.
Make it a great week. It’s usually a choice.
~ Chris
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