What do start-up founders really need?

hAVE you ever been in a situation where you almost lost your cool or confidence? Or you have started to think that maybe people were actually right in telling you to quit? Or, worse, your loved ones are against your start-up dream? Well, these realities have become part of the journeys of start-up founders. Just imagine the fear, tension, and pressure behind their grit and determination. But what exactly do founders really need to hear? Or, who should they listen to in order to survive, thrive, and eventually fly?

Working with start-up and social enterprise founders as a mentor/ coach made me realize that they need to have both affirmations and criticisms. It doesn’t need to be a balance of the two, but a good mix depending on the founders’ personality and type of start-up they are building. They need affirmation not necessarily because they lack confidence or they are unsure of the idea. It’s mainly driven by the fact that they have put in so much effort already, and they need the people around them to be more understanding in order to keep them going. Yes, it may sound cliché, but it’s a reality. Personally, I don’t think that this is too much to ask because, frankly, it’s what everybody needs especially now.

Secondly, “reality talks” help a lot in the ref lection process. Asking them the most critical and difficult questions often lead to answers of deeper meaning or even new purpose. This process works a lot to founders with technology-based innovation. It provides them the opportunity to test the willingness of a potential customer to consider accessing their technology or product. For service-driven social enterprises, the process creates a space to revisit processes and key features of services. On the other hand, criticisms shape, break, and eventually build them. Founders need to understand that while it’s hard to disengage their personal biases whenever their idea is put in the spotlight of rejection and criticism, it is always about the idea or the product, not them. One important lesson I learned is that there should be a clear line that separates the founders from their start-ups. This way, criticisms will be taken as inputs.

Another difficult situation is when the pressure from family and friends get into the heads of the founders. It’s usually challenging! The intention of the former is always good, but most of the time, it puts too much weight on the learning process. One thing that we need to remember is the fact that establishing a start-up is already a huge decision, which requires a certain level of confidence. Sustaining and building it is a clear manifestation of maturity. Hence, family members and friends need to look at these things from that angle. Like in any other circumstance, family and friends are the first level of support. Allowing learning to happen organically

Working with start-up and social enterprise founders as a mentor/ coach made me realize that they need to have both affirmations and criticisms. It doesn’t need to be a balance of the two, but a good mix depending on the founders’ personality and type of start- up they are building. They need affirmation not necessarily because they lack confidence or they are unsure of the idea. It’s mainly driven by the fact that they have put in so much effort already, and they need the people around them to be more understanding in order to keep them going.

with the possibility of failing is always part of the process, because failure is something that cannot be romanticized.

But what exactly do founders really need to hear? The answer is everything. They need to listen to other people’s ideas or comments. They need to learn to decide for themselves which ones to consider or not. Who should they listen to? The people who understand the whole context. I learned that founders need that safe space where they can just truly talk. Discuss quick wins, success, and failures as freely as possible without sugar coating them. It’s a breath of fresh air for them. Yes, the process makes them vulnerable, but it also keeps them grounded.