Letting Go of Ego

Originally published on Substack.

The longer I build companies, the more I believe that founders need to let go of their ego.

Building a startup isn’t about looking more successful than everyone else. It’s about solving problems consistently and staying in the game.

Funding rounds, media coverage, a bigger office, a growing headcount, and social media buzz can all create the illusion that a company is doing well.

The praise from people around you, the admiration of employees, the attention from partners, and the interest from the outside world can be intoxicating. Before you realize it, you’re floating comfortably above reality.

First-time founders are especially vulnerable to it.

Over time, I’ve learned that the things that truly matter are far less glamorous: whether customers keep paying, whether people continue using the product, and how long the cash in the bank will last.

Many companies don’t run into trouble because of competitors. They run into trouble because they become too attached to external validation. They expand to protect their image, chase valuations to support a narrative, and drift away from customers in pursuit of growth.

After years of building companies, I’ve come to believe that real progress isn’t about receiving more applause. It’s about seeing problems sooner and having the discipline to face them.