The Founder's Mentality

common set of motivating attitudes and behaviors that can usually be traced back to a bold, ambitious founder who got it right the first time around.

most companies that achieve sustainable growth share

free fall, is the most existentially threatening. A company in free fall has completely stopped growing in its core market, and its business model, until recently the reason for its success, suddenly no longer seems viable.

stall-out, refers to the sudden slowdown that many successful companies suffer as their rapid growth gives rise to layers of organizational complexity and dilutes the clear mission that once gave the company its focus and energy.

overload, refers to the internal dysfunction and loss of external momentum that management teams of young, fast-growing companies experience as they try to rapidly scale their businesses.

inside a company.

story about how a company wins on the outside by serving the customer better than its competitors.

external story.

Growth creates complexity, and complexity is the silent killer of growth.