From: thepipeline_xyz
For early stage founders, the concept of leadership is initially “completely out of question” [00:00:02]. The primary job of a founder is to literally do everything [00:00:09].
The Founder as a “Soldier”
Greatest founders who eventually became leaders started as “great soldiers” [00:00:14]. This means they were hands-on and involved in every aspect of the startup initially [00:00:32].
The advice for new founders is to be a great soldier [00:00:38]. Founders should fight many battles on the ground themselves before they consider hiring additional personnel [00:00:44]. This direct experience on the front lines is crucial for understanding how to hire great soldiers later [00:00:47].
Initial Responsibilities of the Founder
A founder, acting as a “soldier,” is expected to handle a wide range of tasks personally, including:
- Coding [00:00:21]
- Selling [00:00:23]
- Even cleaning their own chairs [00:00:25]
- Dealing with lawyers [00:00:27]
- Dealing with accountants [00:00:30]
Transition to Leadership
There is a natural transition period where a founder grows into the role of a leader [00:00:53]. While there is ample support for individuals aiming to become leaders, there is significantly less support for those who need to become great soldiers [00:00:59].
A “great warrior” who has experienced fighting on the ground is more likely to become an effective leader [00:01:08]. Conversely, a leader who has never engaged in the ground-level battles is less effective [00:01:10].
Counterintuitive Advice
The initial role of a founder is “super counterintuitive” [00:00:38]; it requires them to be an individual contributor in nearly every aspect of the business before transitioning into a leadership position [00:00:07].