The Resilient Founder

13Putting It All Together

Our desires, ego, and beliefs drive our personal growth and help manage the various transitional points in our life. In a similar manner, our organizational goals move from start-up/survival to thriving and growth. Maslow's hierarchy of needs, a suitable analog can help us map out the phases of evolution (see Table 13.1).

First, we have to fulfill the base layer, and then we grow into the next. If the layer below is constrained or challenged, then we are unable to transition to the next level. Only when we can eat well and sleep comfortably do we feel a sense of safety, and then do our feelings of belonging arise.

A start-up's journey is somewhat similar. Once we gather some resources – say, a seed round and initial founding team – can we start building the product. As the product is ready, we start to build the business side of the organization. The financial stability of the business comes into play. Can we make payroll? Is this profitable? Is this a sustainable business? When we are starting with the basics, we are focused on survival. When we have survival figured out, we strive toward growth. We pay little attention to the higher purpose. As the start-up becomes bigger and a real company, it is subject to various external pressures and internal growth challenges (see Table 13.2). The competition starts to enter the field, team members churn, investors demand growth, urging us to keep up with every other unicorn.

Table 13-1 Hierarchy of Needs ...