Two CEOs are Better Than One

Gitpod has officially adopted a dual leadership structure with two CEOs, Sven and Johannes, after operating unofficially under this setup for the past 1.5 years. The company believes that having two complementary CEOs can lead to numerous benefits such as fewer skill gaps, deferred need for additional C-level executives, grounded decisions, a stronger team culture, reduced burnout, and minimized bus factor. However, there are also some preconceptions about dual leadership setups, including the perception that it may slow down decision-making processes or create confusion regarding responsibilities. Gitpod has successfully navigated these challenges by establishing clear Areas of Responsibility (AORs), fostering high trust and full transparency between the CEOs, and setting clear goals for the company's direction.