Most early-stage startups are founded by amazing people who had vision and ferocity to get started against the odds. One of the reasons you started the company or joined an early-stage startup is that you believed you know better than everyone else. You are an amazing person!
But this amazing skill that got you to this point is no longer the skill that is valued by a larger team. By definition, you no longer know best; you have a team of people who know better than you. Your job is no longer to tell them, “I know better; this is what I want you to do”. Your job is to listen to their ideas, solutions, and initiatives, and pick the ones that are most aligned with your strategic goals. Then allocate resources accordingly.
In short, it’s time to stop being an exceptional entrepreneur and start functioning as an outstanding manager.
