The founder's journey: What got you here won't get you there

How to evolve and scale your leadership skills to meet the changing demands of your business.

Summary: This post draws on my experience coaching and working alongside start up founders as they navigate the high growth, high intensity landscape of building a business. It addresses how to transition from being a hands-on creator to a strategic leader, emphasizing the necessity of scaling your leadership to sustain growth. We take a look at Founder’s Syndrome - what it is and how to overcome it in service of your company, your teams, and yourself.

I started coaching startup founders and CEOs before I had ever worked in a startup environment. My background as a lawyer turned executive coach allowed me to help them uplevel their leadership and accelerate business results, but it wasn’t until I joined an early-stage, high-growth, venture-backed startup myself that I really “got it”.

Actually, I loved it. Being part of building something from the ground up, aligning around a vision, finding product/market fit, the excitement of closing a funding round. I thrived on the scrappiness and aliveness of “building the plane while you’re flying it” - and the connection with the other humans who are all driving toward the same vision. It’s intoxicating. Dynamic.

But… it demands a lot from those who step aboard the ride.

The saying: “What got you here won’t get you there” couldn’t be more true for startup founders and leaders. There is a constant and urgent need to keep evolving and growing to manage the increasing complexity of variables: stakeholders, investors, customers, market trends, employees, board members with differing views, leadership team conflicts, cash-flow, fundraising, and co-founder dynamics.

Over the years I have supported many leaders to navigate the challenging journey of evolving their leadership skills and mindset to meet the changing needs of their business. The good news is - it is possible and the rewards are huge. The not so good news is that it can be hard work, and takes a good dose of self awareness, humility, and letting go of “internal operating systems” that no longer work for you.

While this applies to anyone in a leadership position, there are certain conditions and challenges that are more unique to startup founders.

Understanding Founder’s Syndrome

Founders often start their entrepreneurial journey with a vision to solve a problem or fulfill a need. However, as their startup grows, they may encounter a phenomenon known as “Founder’s Syndrome.” This occurs when a founder clings to control or old ways of operating as the organization grows, resisting changes needed for the sustainable growth of the business. This behavior typically stems from a deep, personal connection to the company’s vision and identity, coupled with a fear of losing control of the company’s direction.

While their passion and determination are pivotal early on, these same traits can create barriers over time. “Symptoms” of Founder’s Syndrome include:

• Behavioral: Micromanaging, resisting delegation, clinging to outdated strategies, and stifling psychological safety and innovation.

  
  

• Organizational: Silos, bottlenecks, unclear decision-making processes, employee dissatisfaction, and high turnover.

  
  

• Personal: Anxiety, insecurity, perfectionism, and fear of losing control. The syndrome often leads to stagnation, missed opportunities, and an inability to scale effectively.

  
  

Internally, founders may be experiencing strong feelings of insecurity, anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, and a fear of letting go of control. A lack of succession planning can worsen the “syndrome”, leaving the founder feeling solely responsible for the company's future.

It’s true what they say - it’s lonely at the top. And it becomes more acute the higher we climb. Overcoming “Founder’s Syndrome” and evolving a leadership mindset is crucial for founders to successfully lead and grow their businesses through each stage of the startup journey.

Shifting from Founder’s Syndrome to a Leadership Mindset

Leadership at any level is about growth. As your company grows, your leadership skills need to evolve to meet new demands. You are no longer a hands-on creator and passionate advocate for your product - instead you must learn to effectively facilitate your teams to produce sustainable results in a rapidly changing and competitive market. While this might seem like an overwhelming task, the good news is that anyone can develop these skills. It starts with the awareness of where you are on the journey, and what is needed to take you - and your company - to the next level.

Here are some key strategies to help you get there:

1. Build your self awareness

   
   

   Increasing awareness of your “internal operating systems”, your strengths and your blind spots, is essential for growth. As the landscape changes so quickly in a venture-backed start up, it is essential to regularly pause and take stock of where you are on the journey - both in terms of your company’s growth and your own leadership development.

   
   

   • Identify your “zone of genius” - ie the skills and strengths you have that drive your effectiveness. Assess how those skills align with the current needs of your company.

   • Solicit feedback from trusted colleagues and staff as to your strengths and growth areas as a leader. (360 Feedback Assessments are a useful tool to provide robust, actionable feedback data).

   • Engage an executive coach to help you with this process by providing an objective perspective and creating a leadership development plan.

     
     

2. Embrace Delegation and Trust

   
   

   A key step in transforming Founder’s Syndrome into a leadership mindset is learning to let go. But this can be difficult when you’ve built something from the ground up. Building a high functioning and capable team and delegating responsibilities frees founders up to focus on the higher level strategy, vision-setting, innovation and stewardship required to ensure longer term success and sustainable growth.

   
   

   Effective delegation involves not just assigning tasks but trusting team members to execute them with the autonomy required for growth:

   
   

   • Build a high-performing leadership team and empower them with autonomy.

   • Focus on higher-level strategic work rather than day-to-day tasks.

   • Identify what you and only you can and should be doing - and work toward letting go of the rest.

   • Adjust your mindset from being the Doer to the Facilitator (player to coach).

     
     

3. Cultivate a Vision Beyond the Self

   
   

   A leadership mindset shifts the focus from personal identity to the broader mission of the company. Founders should cultivate a vision that aligns with the needs of their market and the aspirations of their team. This requires a clear understanding of where the company is heading and how each team member contributes to that journey.

   
   

   • Transition from a founder-centered vision to one shared by the organization. This

   • Align the company’s mission with market needs and employee aspirations.

   • Ensure all company executives, senior staff and management are aligned around the vision.

     
     

4. Adopt a Growth and Learning Mindset

   
   

   Founder’s Syndrome can stem from a fear of failure and a reluctance to learn from it. Leaders with a growth mindset embrace challenges and use failures as learning opportunities. They stay open to new ideas, feedback, and changing market conditions. This adaptability is crucial for scaling because it allows the company to pivot when necessary and innovate continuously.

   
   

   • See failure as an opportunity for learning and improvement.

   • Stay adaptable to feedback, evolving market conditions, and new ideas.

   • Foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation throughout the organization.

   • Be curious - listen to learn & understand rather than to win or fix

     
     

5. Build a Culture of Empowerment

   
   

   A leadership mindset involves empowering others, not just as employees but as key contributors to the company’s success. This involves setting the right example, being accessible and transparent, and creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels their input is valuable. An empowered team is motivated, creative, and willing to take risks—traits essential for business growth. Leaders must be both inspiring and empathetic, fostering a culture where failure is not feared but embraced as a part of the learning process.

   
   

   • Listen to other perspectives.

   • Encourage transparency, inclusivity, and trust to make employees feel valued.

   • Foster psychological safety, allowing team members to contribute ideas and take risks.

   • Model empathy and accessibility, creating an environment where learning from failure is celebrated.

     
     

6. Focus on Long-Term Growth

   
   

   Founder’s Syndrome often leads to short-term decision-making, driven by personal goals rather than the company’s long-term vision. A leadership mindset requires a shift in focus to sustainable growth. This means making strategic decisions that align with the company’s long-term objectives, even if they may not yield immediate results.

   
   

   • Shift from short-term gains to strategies that ensure sustainable scaling.

   • Make decisions that balance urgency with the patience needed for long-term success.

   • Ensure you have the right people around you to provide guidance, advice and subject matter expertise as you navigate new terrain.

You don't have to be a founder to experience "founder's syndrome"...

Any leader on a growth path can experience some of the symptoms of “founder’s syndrome”. It’s inevitable when you are moving from being a hands-on creator to a leader of any team. The key is to acknowledge you are on a journey while building your self awareness and leadership skills, and most importantly, taking steps to evolve your mindset into one of a strategic leader.

If you’re a leader struggling with some of these challenges, you don’t have to do it alone. Finding a good coach who can partner with you as you scale and evolve your leadership skills and mindset can make all the difference.

By strategically relinquishing control, fostering a shared vision, and cultivating an empowered and adaptable organization, you can ensure your business thrives in a competitive market. This transformation benefits not only your company but also enables your own personal and professional growth.