Last week, we talked about outgrowing employees. It’s a difficult topic, no doubt about it.
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A reader writes:
[guestpost]What happens when a company outgrows the entrepreneur? How does an entrepreneur create an objective view of their business that includes their role in it? Can an entrepreneur be objective given the mentality require to forge company in the wild?[/guestpost]
While it’s nearly impossible to be objective, the same principles apply. Deal with it heads-on and give others permission to do the same.
Here’s the approach I’ve taken:
1. Admit from the beginning that you may not be the one to scale and lead forever. It’s not about you, it’s about the company.
2. Surround yourself with people who are loyal to the company and can be (more) objective about the situation (both senior leadership and a board).
3. Continually reevaluate and ask the question. Don’t make it a taboo topic. Interrogate results and look for the same warning signs that you would see in others.
4. Continue to try to improve what you are doing, in part by learning from others, so that you can grow with the company.
Excellent point. A founder has to continually reinvent himself as the company grows.