[Extrait] Devenir un vrai dirigeant : ce que j’ai mis 10 ans à comprendre avec Fabien Devide co-fondateur de Vitality
·5 min
This episode excerpt features Fabien Devide, co-founder of Vitality, discussing the evolution of his leadership over ten years. The conversation begins with a promotional segment about mandatory electronic invoicing in 2026, presented as an opportunity for automation. Devide then recounts Vitality's initial phase, where he and co-founder Nico, both from media backgrounds, focused on creating powerful storytelling content while building a community-driven brand. Early operations were informal, with the team working remotely and relying on freelance friends. The atmosphere was playful, especially during their time at Station F, where they were seen as noisy outsiders. Recruitment was based on intuition and personal connections, fostering a familial 'crew' dynamic where Devide did not feel like a traditional leader. A significant turning point came with a 12.5 million euro investment from a family office, introducing structured objectives and KPIs. This shift necessitated vertical management and hiring external experts, creating a rift between the original close-knit team and new professionals. Devide struggled with his dual role: managing investor relations and board expectations while filtering information for employees. He describes feeling isolated, trying to please everyone, and ultimately losing pleasure and meaning in his work. The excerpt highlights the personal wounds and challenges of transitioning from a hands-on founder to a corporate leader, emphasizing the emotional toll of scaling a startup.
