TL;DR
After a gruelling 12-day stretch delivering a project, Ben Blomerley reflects on what 'thinking like a founder' really means at Mohara. It comes down to three things: ownership, caring about every piece of work as if it were your own business; empathy, understanding that it's always ten times harder for the founder; and empowerment, giving founders the tools and involvement they need to feel in control.
Reflection 1: We're in it together
Back in 2011, I was armed with some PowerPoint slides, wireframes and a dream, and Rich was looking for customers for his new product development agency. When I met Rich, it was immediately clear he cared about making my business a success, that was his core drive. This was unique, and it's why I chose to work with his team.
Caring about our customers is one of our guiding principles, we care about every piece of work as if it was our business. We care about the little things, so we can try and stop them from turning into big things. What got us through 12 solid days of work? It was because we cared about the project, we cared about the entrepreneur, and we cared about getting things right. There wasn't a sense of frustration in the office, but a sense of purpose.
Reflection 2: It might be hard for us, but it's ten times harder for the founder
Founders are often so removed from building the product, it's painful for them. We see micromanagement from founders, that's because it's so hard to let go and leave someone else in charge of your baby. Solid, clear communication is what matters. No whitespace. Whitespace breeds uncertainty and risk. A founder dreads that terrible feeling of not knowing what is happening.
Reflection 3: Give founders power
When founders have nothing to do, they make trouble. We need to empower founders to contribute to their baby's development. That sense of purpose, of control, of contribution, that's what founders need.
Final thought
To summarise, 'thinking like a founder' means:
- Ownership, take ownership, whether it's a little thing or a big thing.
- Communication, clear, transparent and regular communication gives founders no reason to worry.
- Empowerment, involve founders and work together as a team.