LEANING INTO FOUNDER MODE

Chances are, if you’re reading this newsletter, you’ve seen or heard the phrase “Founder Mode” floating around in the past few months. 

Paul Graham’s recent essay has the business and founder communities buzzing about what it means to really lock into Founder Mode, a notably different mindset from that of a manager. First, let me say that I believe the term “founder” is highly overused when it comes to describing people who start a business. The truth is that not every entrepreneur is a founder. In fact, most aren’t — and that’s not a bad thing. It can actually help distinguish who the concept of Founder Mode does and doesn’t apply to. 

What sets founders apart is a personal stake in our company vision. The key difference between founders and entrepreneurs is that founders like you and me see our companies — their products, missions, and brands — as an extension of ourselves. 

Read more in What Is Founder Mode, Really?

I’m big on frameworks, and what is a mindset if not a framework? What is a “mode” if not a mindset? Think about it: None of us are in a single mode all the time, and our mode changes based on different scenarios or contexts. For example, throughout my life, I’ve found myself switching from Founder Mode to Coach Mode to Investor Mode and then to Dad or Husband Mode at the end of the workday.

 
Founder Mode is the mode we enter when we feel like something is just… off. For instance, you might feel like your company isn’t aligning with or respecting the elements you deeply believe are vital to turning the company vision into reality. Or maybe a major shift in your industry has caused unexpected complications with how you planned to scale. Whatever the circumstance, it’s not typical, it’s not ideal, and it’s potentially a huge threat to your organization. These are the times to step into Founder Mode to get things back on track.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to juggle multiple modes at once, but this just isn’t a healthy or sustainable habit. Founder Mode shouldn’t be engaged all the time — the same way you don’t always need high beams when driving at night. Learning to switch in and out of Founder Mode by assessing when that critical mindset is needed can help you more confidently and effectively steer your company during times of crisis.

PERSPECTIVES

“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.” — Steve Jobs

“Either you run the day, or the day runs you.” ― Jim Rohn

MARK MY WORDS

Founders don’t just seize an opportunity that presents itself. As you know from experience, founders are driven by a deeper sense of purpose and connection. It’s the innate, subconscious nature of who we are and what we do. Flipping the switch on Founder Mode, however, helps you intentionally enter the right mindset to really lock in and take things to the next level when the situation calls for it (read the blog for more on this).

As founders, we routinely operate in many different modes: visionary, coach, mentor, team leader, and the list goes on. But if you aren’t clear on what mode you’re in, life becomes chaotic and confusing for both you and those around you. Truly harnessing the power of Founder Mode means being consciously in the right mode at the right time and making the right choices to build a company you’ll love forever.

Again, no one is always in Founder Mode. It’s simply not possible. But truly great founders work damn hard to make the best of being in Founder Mode, identifying what needs to be done in order to stay true to their vision, why something didn’t work the way everyone thought it would, how they need to respond in the face of adversity, and so on. Founder Mode is an objectively intense and strenuous mode, but if you’re able to embrace it — as well as its on/off switch — you might find that it’s your not-so-secret weapon for getting your company through tough times. Beyond that, being modal-aware can fuel your sense of fulfillment and clarity outside of work. This can help you create the mental space needed for both organizational achievement and meaningful interpersonal connections, a balance that ultimately strengthens both your vision and your life.

TUNE IN

Learn more about the trending topic of Founder Mode as Mark and Cole explore the distinctions between Visionary and Legacy founders and the various mindsets that all founders must navigate.