Founder alignment is make or break for startup success.
That’s why this piece of advice from Brian Chesky is SO powerful:
« We [Airbnb co-founders] had a rule.
The rule was that winning an argument was never more important than preserving the relationship.
And the reason that's important is because if you start a company, you're going to have to debate a hundred thousand things... so no one argument can be the thing.
There has to be this larger sense that we're a band. »
Co-founder misalignment is probably 70-80% of what kills startups before they find product-market fit.
For 3 reasons:
1. An aligned co-founder team makes decisions quickly
You could start from a different point and come together quickly (which creates velocity) or be misaligned and frustrated, where each decision is painful and time-consuming.
2. An aligned co-founder team is a great product team
Alignment creates a good culture where people share their thoughts respectfully, unafraid of any fights that could erupt. This is good for product.
3. An aligned co-founder team can sell
Great sales cultures are top down. If you want an energetic sales culture, you need to be able to exude that energy.
TAKEAWAY:
Creating alignment with your co-founders is your single most important job as a startup founder.
This requires extreme humility and the ability to hear what you don't want to hear.
Ruthlessly prioritize co-founder team dynamics above all else.
P.S.
Most importantly, remember building a startup is just like Brian Chesky says…
You’re a band.
Low Budget.
Little Job Security.
Just trying to create the next hit.
Everything else is noise.
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👋 Don't know me? I'm J.Y! I've been building things and making money online since 2017, and I share my entrepreneurial journey here on LinkedIn.