ADAPTING FOR EVERY STAGE OF GROWTH

As your business matures, your role as a founder should shift from scrappy problem-solver to intentional leader, and Founder Mode helps guide your company through the growth and change that follows.

 
But building a damn good, if not great, company isn’t a linear process. It’s a journey through 5 Stages of Development — Survive, Sustain, Scale, Succeed, and Steward — and beyond. Each stage comes with unique challenges, and you’ll need to adapt your approach at every step if you want to truly thrive. The key is stepping into the right mode at the right time. 

Read more in The Founder's Journey Through the Lens of the Stages of Development.

In the early stages, survival depends on agility and quick problem-solving. But long-term success will require shifting to a big-picture strategy and empowering others to bring your vision to life.

This can be a difficult change for some founders, especially those deeply involved in every aspect of their business. But your leadership style has to evolve with your company. When senior leaders begin to manage day-to-day operations, your focus should be on the high-level decisions that align the company with its vision.

 
By evolving your role and embracing new ways of working, you'll be ready for whatever challenges come next — all while building a company you'll love forever.

PERSPECTIVES

“The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.”

— Harvey S. Firestone

“The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” ― Socrates

MARK MY WORDS

As your business progresses through the 5 Stages of Development, different modes of operating become essential. Each stage demands a shift in mindset and leadership style, evolving alongside your company’s growth. Adapting to these changes isn’t optional — it’s the difference between failing and thriving.

In Stage 1: Survive, you’re operating fully in what I call “Warrior Mode,” and your focus is singular: Keep the business alive. It’s a time for grit and relentless problem-solving, where your vision begins to take shape but feels fragile. You do whatever it takes to navigate uncertainty and build momentum, setting the tone for your company’s survival. This stage is often chaotic but necessary, requiring founders to rely on instinct and sheer determination.

When you reach Stage 3: Scale, your role evolves significantly. The business is now established, and the focus shifts from survival to creating sustainable growth. At this stage, both Leader Mode and Manager Mode become essential but distinct. It’s no longer about being involved in every detail — it’s about building a structure that thrives on scalable systems, strong leadership, and a capable team.

With a solid grasp on Founder Mode as a foundation, you’ll be ready to shift into the mode the moment demands — and confidently guide your company through its current stage and onto the next.

TUNE IN

The 9 Core Competencies of a Stage 5 Company

In this episode, I explore what it takes to build a company that’s not just successful but also scalable and resilient. I call this a Stage 5 company — where your vision comes to life through teams, systems, and structures that continue to thrive without depending on you for every decision.

You'll learn:

• Why vision is the foundation for aligning your team and driving growth
• The role of process mastery in maintaining consistency as you scale
• How these 9 Core Competencies connect to the 5 Stages of Development