Silicon Valley’s buzzing about ‘founder mode’ – the idea that founders should manage every crucial decision. But is this a stroke of genius or a massive cop-out?
Consider Basecamp, a project management software company. Its success isn’t built on founder Jason Fried’s micromanaging but on cultivating a culture of autonomy and trust.
As leadership expert Simon Sinek says, “The role of a leader is not to come up with all the great ideas. The role of a leader is to create an environment in which great ideas can happen.”
Perpetual founder mode can stifle creativity, create bottlenecks, and drive away top talent. Instead, focus on building a culture where everyone thinks like a founder.
Are you empowering your team or just feeding your ego?