Founder Mode

Netflix started as a disk distribution company.

This footnote was what got me: > [1] The more diplomatic way of phrasing this statement would be to say that experienced C-level execs are often very skilled at managing up. And I don't think anyone with knowledge of this world would dispute that.

I've not founded startups. I just work in them. I'm not even a terribly important worker. AI bots are absolutely coming for my job.

But this is when I know a company has left "actually a startup" mode in the way that I can enjoy it and thrive in it, and when it's transitioned to "a growing, professionalizing company" mode, in which I wish them the best, but GTFO because I hate working in companies like that:

As soon as there are three layers of management between me and the CEO, all of whose roles primarily require them to prove that they are somehow "managing" my work, even though they don't have the first clue how to do my work, the company isn't in its startup stage anymore. It's a whole different kind of company, and not one I choose to stay in. I just go find somewhere else to help get to that stage.

"Professional managers" and "startups" are incompatible. Startups have to be able to move and pivot so fast that there's no use for a "manager" who doesn't actually know how to do the work of those they manage. They're going to be called on to fill in for those people far too frequently. They're dead weight if all they know how to do is "manage."

There is eventually a stage when you want those people, but trying to move to it too early, around your C or D when the VCs are telling you that you should, is fatal. Everyone who made the existing thing good is going to get crowded out by sycophants who don't have the deep cultural knowledge of and commitment to your product. All they know how to do is blow smoke up the right skirts at the right times.

"hire good people and give them room to do their jobs." is not orthogonal to running your start-up as a founder...or is it, and I'm doing it wrong?

I'd love to understand where someone like Satya Nadella would fit into this example. He isn't the founder, but he runs the company as if he is, doesn't he? So "founder" isn't the correct description.

I hope a link to the talk is made public, so we can decode what Brian is saying for ourselves.

A lot, I mean a lot of people with middle incomes have bought desirable homes in nice locations and rent them out. There are many aspiring families, young couples priced out of the market because of this.

Sure, this option was always a thing but the people who rent these properties out do not improve the community or unit they purchased and they rent out to anyone. This weekend a Airbnb guest kicked my door front door open. I pulled a gun on him and he apologized and said he was messing around but I wouldn’t have to deal with this if I didn’t live near short term rentals.

Hotels needed a check to their power but I’m not sure if 15 years from now Airbnb will have been good for the median person. It sure helps the wealthy however.