Conference Paper

ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP: BALANCING VISION WITH EXECUTION (THE ROLE OF TIMING IN STARTUP SUCCESS)

ABSTRACT Entrepreneurial leadership requires the ability to hold a compelling vision while executing with discipline in uncertain environments. While existing studies have emphasized “what” strategies to adopt, there is less focus on “when” leaders should act — specifically in market entry, strategic pivots, and scaling decisions. This paper develops a timing-centric perspective of entrepreneurial leadership, integrating the concept of market clock-speed, evidence maturity, resource flexibility, and team readiness into a practical Timing–Leadership Alignment (TLA) framework. By expanding on theoretical foundations and practical applications, the study offers a structured approach for leaders to align vision with staged, time-bound execution. The research proposes testable propositions and offers managerial implications for founders, corporate innovators, and incubator managers. The findings suggest that timing is not merely a reaction to market forces but a proactive leadership choice capable of determining long-term organizational success. Keywords: Entrepreneurial leadership, timing, first-mover advantage, lean startup, execution, scaling, pivots, strategic decision-making.