THE MINDSET BEFORE THE LEAP

For many of us, the founder’s journey begins long before we even dream of starting our first company.

Ask any founder you know about their origin story, and you’ll likely hear all about their long and arduous journey to where they are today. We typically work our way up from interns, individual contributors, or team leaders before fully committing to the vision for our future companies and deciding to set out on our own. This process may take anywhere from just a handful of years to a few decades, often involving a few unexpected twists and turns. But regardless of the timeline or the profession we start from, the truth is that those of us destined to become founders spend our entire lives thinking and working in ways that align with the Founder’s Mindset.

Read more in Founders Within: The Founder’s Mindset Inside Large Organizations.

Beginning your journey as a founder doesn’t mean you have to quit your day job today and start a new company tomorrow. Of course, once you’re ready, there’s not much that can come between you and that drive — but remember not to discount the value of leveraging that Founder’s Mindset from your current role within a large organization. Start leaning into that intuition and different point of view now, and others will soon recognize you as a standout in your department, if not the entire organization. Those who choose this path are part of a valued group I like to call “founders within.” 

I personally learned a lot from my years of experience in a large organization and was rewarded for thinking and working like a founder (more on this in the blog) despite being young and a relatively fresh face at the company. That’s because established organizations benefit tremendously from having team members operating with a Founder’s Mindset. These founders within bring a unique combination of vision, conviction, and the willingness to challenge deeply entrenched ways of doing things. In environments where bureaucratic red tape or inertia can slow progress, those with a Founder’s Mindset are often the ones who break through barriers by providing new ideas, solutions, and perspectives to help move the organization forward.

PERSPECTIVES

“Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence, and inspiration.” — Robin S. Sharma

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” ― Arthur Ashe

MARK MY WORDS

This all goes hand in hand with self-awareness. As I’ve touched on in previous issues, being able to recognize yourself as a founder, know which type of founder you are, and consciously tap into Founder Mode will all prove invaluable as you navigate the waters of building, running, and scaling your own organization. But these attributes are just as important for the founders who haven’t pulled the trigger on creating their own startup just yet. A better understanding of your work style and preferences is always beneficial, even if you already know your current role or company isn’t where you want to be forever. It’s never too early to start developing the skills needed to become a successful founder and lead a truly great company. 

Once you do take the plunge and start your business, don’t forget to keep championing the importance of founders within. Just as your own unique perspectives were received and appreciated by former colleagues, it’s now your turn to search for and encourage a Founder’s Mindset within your current and prospective team members. Recognizing these individuals for their strong convictions, big ideas, and drive to see them through will help you continuously bring new, innovative solutions to the table.

Whether you’ve officially started your first company or you’re just now envisioning yourself as a founder, tapping into the Founder’s Mindset can help you unlock your potential, guide your decisions, and lead with purpose.

TUNE IN

As the Founder Mode Series continues, I’m discussing the importance of recognizing and scheduling time for different modes to leverage productivity and minimize inefficiencies.