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What is Founder Mode and Why is Everyone Talking About It?
Y Combinator founder sparked the conversation on social media with a viral X thread.
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What is Founder Mode and why is everyone talking about it?
These types of people are the secret weapon your business needs
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Best places to work in Ontario
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What Is Founder Mode? Here's Why Everyone Is Talking About It This Week
Paul Graham, founder of Y Combinator, has sparked a new conversation on social media with his term "founder mode." Released in an article on September 1 and gaining traction over Labour Day weekend, the concept has over 21 million views on X (formerly Twitter) and is stirring debate about leadership styles in startups.
In his article, Graham distinguishes "founder mode" from the more conventional "manager mode," highlighting key differences in how CEOs should interact with their teams.
Key Takeaways
Founder Mode vs. Manager Mode: Founder mode involves a hands-on approach where the CEO interacts with employees across all levels of the organization, similar to how Steve Jobs ran Apple. In contrast, manager mode relies more on delegation and hierarchy.
Case Study: Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky initially followed a traditional manager mode approach, hiring capable people and letting them do their jobs. However, the results were disappointing, and Chesky had to return to a more direct founder mode to stabilize and grow the company.
Gender Dynamics: Since the essay's release, women founders have highlighted challenges in adopting the same founder mode style as men, with Chesky acknowledging that this needs to change.
Why It Matters: Graham's idea is reigniting discussions on leadership, particularly around the balance between hands-on and hands-off management. For entrepreneurs and executives, it opens up the debate on what it takes to scale a business without losing the founder's touch.
These Types of People Are the Secret Superheroes Your Business Needs
Balancing creativity with entrepreneurship is more than just a unique skill set—it's a superpower that can propel businesses to new heights. Leaders like Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, with his design background, prove that integrating creativity into business isn't just about aesthetics but a strategic advantage. Here’s how you can unlock the potential of creative entrepreneurs to drive innovation and profitability.
Key Takeaways
Creative Entrepreneurs Blend Vision and Strategy: Creative individuals challenge norms and bring visionary leadership, while also having the business acumen to execute actionable decisions.
Creativity Drives Growth: A McKinsey study revealed companies with a focus on creativity saw better financial performance, innovation, and growth, with 67% showing above-average revenue growth.
3 Advantages of Hybrid Minds:
Empathy: Deep understanding of both client and team needs improves decision-making.
Efficiency: Creative problem-solving and business sense streamline operations and encourage innovative solutions.
Collaboration: The hybrid mindset bridges gaps between creative and operational teams, fostering stronger collaboration.
Why It Matters: Embedding creativity in senior leadership roles can transform your business, driving innovation and growth. Taking the leap with creative leadership can give your company the competitive edge it needs to thrive.
🌐 AROUND THE INTERWEBS
You have got to try this restaurant in Witchurch Stoufville with incredible lake views before the good weather is gone.
@urangelanna Perfect brunch spot away from the city for your next day trip💓 #restaurant #torontofood #daytrip #patio #foodtok
These companies in Ontario were voted among the ‘Best Places to Work' for 2024.’
@blogto These Ontario companies are among the best places to work in Canada for 2024 👀 #ForYou #Fyp #Fy #ForYouPage #TikTokToronto #TorontoTikTok ... See more
🔦 NOTABLE SPOTLIGHT 🔦
Slow Night
Slow Night invites non-artists, bad artists, and burnt-out creatives for a relaxing collage night.
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🎙️ Get Into It: No Such Podcast podcast. “No Such Podcast” will bring people to the table from across the agency to discuss our role as a combat support agency, our foreign signals intelligence and cybersecurity missions, and so much more. NSA is known as home to the world’s greatest code makers and codebreakers—their stories are now being decoded. Listen on Apple or Spotify.
📄 Notable Hires: Manager / Senior Manager, Finance & Strategy @ Hopper (remote, Vancouver)
🎓 Hope This Helps: Codlixe. Balance your life with AI-guided goal setting and journaling, for holistic personal growth and mindfulness.
🌍 Notable Destinations: Toronto to Morrocco ($800 - $1005) Dates: February 4 - February 12. Click on this link to see the deal.
🧠 Today We Learned: Terry Fox ran the equivalent of 128 marathons in 143 days in an attempt to run across Canada to raise funds for cancer research, all despite having lost a leg to cancer. His Marathon of Hope led to the annual Terry Fox Run, which continues to support cancer research globally. 🇨🇦🏃♂️
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Notable Life is Canada for young professionals, entrepreneurs, and culture generators operated by The Notable Group. Notable Daily inspires ideas and sharpens the minds of over 40,000 top-tier professionals in competitive industries.
Disclosure: While we utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to assist with certain aspects of content development, all information provided in our content is thoroughly vetted and edited by our team of humans. We strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of all information. However, we recommend that readers conduct research or seek professional advice to make informed decisions. This email may contain sponsored content.
Written and curated by Ashley Nedaei