Stepping away now and then allows founders to recharge and rethink their approach to company-building

Hustling, hustling, and more hustling. No word is more revered in startup vernacular than “hustle”. It is often invoked to describe a founder’s total dedication to their company — the endless 12-hour workdays with no vacations; days packed with meetings with investors or industry partners; nights spent slouched over the computer as they pore over bugs or new features.

As a founder of a startup that is a little over a decade old, I have done more than my fair share of hustling. While having the drive continues to play an instrumental part in growing a company in a maturing ecosystem, over the years I have come to realise that the mindset of “achieving-success-at-all-cost” is not sustainable in the long run. What we need to adopt, instead, is a holistic approach.

Looking at the world with a broader vision

 

Tech founders sometimes get the flak for living in their ecosystem bubble: we tend to only fraternise or work with like-minded peers. But if we want to build products and services that serve the needs of a globally-connected ecosystem, this attitude has to change.

We need to learn to step away from the companies we are building, even it is just for a few days, to connect with thought leaders from entirely different fields and organisations.

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Building these connections with other industry stakeholders would broaden our vision of the world, of the people around us. When was the last time you had an in-depth conversation with someone who was an art gallery curator, or a documentary filmmaker, for instance?

The benefits of cultivating an open-mind may seem intangible, and many founders have misconception if they are participating in any activity that is not work-related, it is extraneous to the company’s goals, and therefore, not a productive use of their time.

I say this is a misguided notion.

By sharing and gaining insights from leaders of diverse backgrounds, founders will be able to develop more abstract viewpoints and in turn, create fresh and novel product ideas for their companies. Perhaps, founders will be even be inspired to steer their companies into uncharted territories and break new ground.

Finding the North Star

 

As a founder, it is easy to lose track of your core mission. Sometimes the company we want to build ends up looking like a different beast, owing to factors such as shareholder expectations or the pressure to hit certain milestones. This, in turn, will have a detrimental effect on you and your employees’ morale.

When you feel that you are losing track of your North Star, it is essential to take a step back, seek out individuals who are in similar predicaments and discuss these issues openly.

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It is not easy of, course. Founders are the public face of the company, and therefore, they are expected to put up a strong show of face in front of their employees, investors and the press.

Thankfully, there has been a greater push to address mental health issues among founders in recent years. Stories of founders burning out or even going into depression are becoming more commonplace — and that is a good thing, because, people are learning to open up.

Founders need to shed their hyper-competitive persona and learn to be vulnerable. They must learn to give and share. By meeting people who have similar challenges and similar causes, and by sharing insights on how you tackle problems, you become a greater and more empathetic leader and entrepreneur. 

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Image Credit: Open Circles

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