The tech world is abuzz with talk of "Founder Mode" versus "Manager Mode," sparked by Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky's recent talk at Y Combinator and Paul Graham's follow-up essay. While the excitement is palpable, this "revelation" feels less like a breakthrough and more like a rediscovery of timeless leadership principles.
The idea that founders should remain deeply involved in their companies, maintain a hands-on approach, and resist the urge to delegate everything isn't revolutionary. Steve Jobs, the patron saint of tech visionaries, embodied this ethos throughout his tenure at Apple. Jeff Bezos at Amazon and Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook (now Meta) have similarly eschewed traditional notions of "professional management" in favor of maintaining founder-driven cultures. What Chesky and Graham are describing isn't a new mode of operation, but rather a return to fundamentals that somehow got lost in the noise of rapid scaling and VC-driven growth.
The real question we should be asking is not "Should founders switch to Manager Mode?" but rather, "Why did we ever think they should?" The myth of the "professional manager" taking over once a company reaches a certain size has led many startups astray. It's based on the flawed assumption that running a large organization requires a fundamentally different skill set than building one. While scale certainly brings new challenges, the core qualities that made a founder successful in the early days—vision, adaptability, and an intimate knowledge of the product and market—remain invaluable as the company grows.
There's a reason why visionary founders often make the best long-term leaders for their companies. They possess an intimate, almost visceral understanding of their business that no outside hire, no matter how qualified on paper, can match. This deep knowledge allows them to see the big picture, make tough calls, inspire their teams, and navigate crises with unparalleled determination.
Consider the case of Reed Hastings at Netflix. As the company evolved from DVD rentals to streaming to content creation, Hastings' vision and willingness to cannibalize his own business model kept Netflix ahead of the curve. An outside CEO, focused on quarterly results and lacking Hastings' deep understanding of the industry's trajectory, might have been reluctant to make such bold moves.
However, the discussion around Founder Mode vs. Manager Mode often lacks nuance. It's not an either/or proposition, but rather a spectrum that great leaders navigate fluidly. While maintaining their visionary edge, founders need to develop new skills as their companies grow. This doesn't mean abandoning their hands-on approach, but rather expanding their toolkit.
The most successful founder-led companies often have strong operational leaders working alongside the visionary founder. Think of Tim Cook's partnership with Steve Jobs at Apple, or Sheryl Sandberg's role alongside Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook. These partnerships work because they combine the founder's vision and drive with the structured processes and specialized knowledge that professional managers bring to the table.
This is where the concept of "wartime" vs. "peacetime" CEOs, popularized by Ben Horowitz, comes into play. Horowitz argues that different circumstances call for different leadership styles. But I'd argue that in today's fast-paced business environment, every day is wartime. The constant threat of disruption, the pace of technological change, and the intensity of competition mean that companies can never afford to rest on their laurels.
This perpetual "wartime" state is precisely why founder-led companies often outperform their professionally managed counterparts. Founders are more likely to maintain a sense of urgency, to question assumptions, and to make bold bets when necessary. They're also more likely to have the credibility and moral authority within the organization to drive significant changes.
However, this doesn't mean that founders don't need help. The best founders are voracious learners, constantly seeking new insights and refining their approach. They're not afraid to admit what they don't know and seek help in those areas. This is where experienced managers and advisors play a crucial role. They bring specialized knowledge and battle-tested processes that can help turn a founder's vision into reality.
The key is to integrate these different leadership styles and skills, rather than viewing them as mutually exclusive modes. Great founder-CEOs maintain their visionary outlook and hands-on approach while also developing the skills traditionally associated with professional managers. They learn to balance the macro and the micro, knowing when to zoom out for the big picture and when to dive deep into the details.
This integrated approach to leadership is what allowed Phil Knight to guide Nike from a small importer of Japanese shoes to a global sportswear giant. Knight remained deeply involved in product development and marketing throughout his tenure, while also building a strong management team to handle the complexities of a growing multinational corporation.
As we rediscover the value of founder-led companies, it's crucial not to swing too far in the other direction. The goal isn't to glorify founders or demonize professional managers, but to create a more nuanced understanding of effective leadership in high-growth companies. We need to challenge the artificial divide between "founders" and "managers" and recognize that the most effective leaders combine elements of both.
For the broader business community, this means developing more nuanced frameworks for understanding effective leadership in high-growth environments. It means rethinking our assumptions about the skills required to lead companies at different stages of growth. And it means providing founders with the support and resources they need to grow into effective long-term leaders, rather than assuming they need to be replaced as their companies scale.
In conclusion, the conversation sparked by Chesky and Graham is valuable not because it introduces a new concept, but because it forces us to reexamine our assumptions about leadership and growth. The most successful companies of the future will likely be those that can harness the visionary drive of their founders while also building robust organizational structures and processes. It's not about choosing between Founder Mode and Manager Mode—it's about integrating the best of both worlds to create something truly extraordinary.
Artificial Imagination 🌉
I'm a sucker for cool bridges, especially when they're nestled in nature's embrace. Well, feast your eyes on this digital masterpiece I whipped up! This isn't just any old crossing— it's a living, breathing work of art. Surrounded by an ethereal forest and spanning a glass-like pond, this bridge is serving serious Lord of the Rings vibes. It's the kind of place that makes you want to pack a picnic, grab your camera, and spend a day playing woodland explorer. Who needs reality when you can escape to this fantastical realm?
This is not an actual photo, but one that was totally A.I. generated using a prompt that I created with MidJourney
Vibe Hack 📄
Turn your iPhone into a pro-level document scanner with this trick! Forget clunky scanners or low-quality photo copies. Here's the magic: Open the Notes app, tap the camera icon, then "Scan Documents." Your iPhone's camera transforms into a portable scanner, automatically detecting document edges and adjusting contrast for crystal-clear scans. Multi-page documents? No sweat—it'll compile them into a single PDF. Need to sign that form? Use your finger or Apple Pencil to add your John Hancock right on the screen. Then share it via email, AirDrop, or save it to Files in seconds. It's perfect for digitizing receipts, archiving important papers, or sending signed contracts on the go. Pro tip: Use this for quick copies of recipes, business cards, or even whiteboard notes during meetings. With this hack, you're not just organizing paperwork; you're revolutionizing your entire document management game. Welcome to the future of hassle-free, paper-free efficiency—all from the device in your pocket!
My Weekly Vibe
Movie: Beetlejuice is back, and it's a ghostly good time! I caught the new flick in a packed theater, and let me tell you, it was absolutely fantastic. The perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh humor had the whole audience in stitches. Michael Keaton hasn't missed a beat, bringing that manic energy that made us fall in love with the character decades ago. And the practical effects? Chef's kiss. It's a reminder that sometimes, the old-school approach still packs the biggest punch. If you're on the fence about seeing it, take this as your sign to grab some popcorn and enjoy the show. Just don't say his name three times!
AI: Perplexity is the real deal, folks! After hearing all the buzz, I finally took it for a spin, and wow—it totally lives up to the hype. It's like having a super-smart research assistant at your fingertips 24/7. The way it pulls information from multiple sources and presents it in a clear, concise manner is truly impressive. Plus, the follow-up question feature? Game-changer. Whether you're diving deep into a topic or just need a quick fact-check, Perplexity has got you covered. I've found myself turning to it more and more for both work and random curiosity searches. If you haven't tried it yet, what are you waiting for? Your brain will thank you!
Snack: Let's talk about this granola for a second. Nature's Path Organic Coconut Cashew Gluten Free Granola is a game-changer in the breakfast game. It's the perfect balance of crunchy and sweet, with just the right amount of indulgence. The coconut and cashew combo is like a tropical vacation for your taste buds. And at only 150 calories per serving? It's practically guilt-free. I've been sprinkling it on my yogurt in the morning, but let's be real—it's also my go-to midnight snack. Pro tip: try it with some almond milk for a late-night cereal fix that won't weigh you down. Trust me, your pantry needs this ASAP.
Lunch: I know, I know. Subway? Really? But hear me out. After years of giving it a wide berth, I decided to give the sandwich giant another shot, and color me impressed. Their new menu and upgraded options are seriously fire. I went for a turkey, avocado, and provolone combo, loaded up with all the veggies, and it was surprisingly delicious. The bread was fresh, the veggies crisp, and the avocado spread divine. It's like they've gone back to their roots but with a modern twist. Perfect for those days when you need a quick, customizable meal that doesn't sacrifice on flavor. Don't sleep on the new Subway—it might just become your new go-to lunch spot.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice | cred: Warner Bros. Pictures
Weekly Muse
"If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late." - Reid Hoffman
Real Estate
As the dust settles from the National Association of Realtors settlement, another tremor is rumbling through the real estate landscape. The Clear Cooperation policy, a cornerstone of MLS operations since 2020, faces intense scrutiny and calls for its repeal. This policy requires agents to submit listings to the MLS within one business day of public marketing, aiming to prevent "pocket listings" and ensure a level playing field. However, like many well-intentioned regulations, it has had its share of critics and unintended consequences.
Robert Reffkin, the CEO of Compass, recently called for an "emergency decision" to repeal Clear Cooperation, arguing that it's "forced cooperation" and that MLSs should evolve so that "people use them because they want to, not because they're forced to." While Reffkin's motivations are likely not entirely altruistic, his arguments have resonated with many in the industry.
It's hard to disagree entirely with Reffkin's assessment. The current policy does feel somewhat heavy-handed in an age of rapid technological advancement. However, we should approach his calls for change with skepticism. Repealing Clear Cooperation could disproportionately benefit large brokerages like Compass while potentially harming smaller players in the industry.
Without Clear Cooperation, Compass and other well-resourced brokerages could create proprietary networks for sharing listings, potentially excluding smaller brokerages and individual agents who lack the means to compete on the same level. This could lead to a scenario where the largest brokerages essentially create their own private "MLSs," accessible only to their agents or through paid partnerships. Smaller brokerages and independent agents might find themselves increasingly marginalized, unable to access the full spectrum of inventory.
Moreover, this fragmentation could negatively impact consumers. Buyers might struggle to access comprehensive property information, while sellers could find their listings reaching a smaller audience, potentially affecting their ability to secure the best possible deal.
As we consider the future of real estate cooperation, it's worth exploring more innovative solutions that address these concerns. One intriguing possibility is the development of an open-source, decentralized MLS system. Such a platform could potentially level the playing field while providing agents and consumers with greater access to data and information.
Imagine a system where real estate data flows freely, accessible to all participants equally. This could eliminate the need for forced cooperation policies while still ensuring transparency and fairness in the marketplace. It could also open up new possibilities for data-driven insights and more efficient transactions. Smaller agents could benefit from greater listing access and data transparency, while consumers could enjoy real-time, trusted property data.
Of course, transitioning to such a system would be no small feat. It would require overcoming significant technological hurdles such as ensuring data security, standardizing information across platforms, and building a scalable infrastructure. Regulatory challenges and cultural resistance from established players would also need to be addressed. Moreover, it would inevitably strip existing MLSs and Realtor associations of much of their power and control—a change they will resist fiercely.
However, the potential benefits are compelling. An open-source, decentralized system could bring unprecedented transparency to real estate transactions, directly addressing the shortcomings of the current Clear Cooperation policy. It could empower consumers with more information and choices, while also providing innovative agents and brokers with new tools to serve their clients better.
As the debate over Clear Cooperation continues, it's clear that the industry is at a crossroads. The challenges posed by technology companies, changing consumer expectations, and regulatory scrutiny are forcing a reevaluation of long-standing practices. The key will be finding a balance that preserves the best aspects of the current system while embracing the possibilities offered by new technologies and business models.
The goal should be to create a truly level playing field that empowers all participants—from solo agents to boutique brokerages to industry giants—to compete fairly and serve their clients effectively. It's time for industry stakeholders to start thinking critically about the future structure of MLS systems and how they can contribute to a more open, transparent, and equitable real estate marketplace. Only by prioritizing these values can we ensure that the real estate industry evolves in a way that benefits everyone, not just the largest and most powerful players.
In the voice of Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli, better known as "The Fonz"… “Eyyyy, listen up! This swanky penthouse is so cool, it makes the Cunninghams' place look like Al's greasy garage. With a view that'll make even Pinky Tuscadero jealous and more space than Arnold's for your leather jacket collection, it's the perfect pad for a cool cat like you to sit on it—and I don't mean no toilet seat!” (courtesy of BHHS Fox & Roach The Harper at Rittenhouse Square).
Disclaimer: this is a very lovely listing and clearly just a bit of satire, so loosen up and enjoy
Interesting Find
Despite being the main character in the original Beetlejuice, Michael Keaton graces the screen for a mere 17.5 minutes of the film's 92-minute runtime. That's less than 20% of the movie, yet Keaton's manic energy and unforgettable performance left such an indelible mark that you'd swear he was in every frame. This limited screen time was actually a deliberate choice by director Tim Burton, who wanted to maintain Beetlejuice's mystique and make each appearance pack a punch. Keaton's ability to leave such a lasting impression in such a short amount of time is a testament to his incredible talent and the iconic nature of the character. It just goes to show that when it comes to making movie magic, it's quality over quantity that truly counts!
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice | cred: Warner Bros. Pictures
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