GE 33: Ten founder/owner archetypes
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Introduction
Most of us may have worked directly or indirectly with software founders and owners. They are unique people and often have individual traits that consciously or subconsciously influence the culture, operation and success of the companies that they lead. In this article we take a light-hearted look at ten fictional founder/owner archetypes.
Do you recognize your leader?
The Visionary Vortex
Always dreaming big, often leaving the details to others. They have a knack for seeing potential where others see problems. Their ideas can sometimes seem outlandish, but they push the company to think outside the box.
May be heard saying - "We are disrupting the industry!"
Currently reading
"Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future" by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters
Strengths:
- Inspires and motivates the team with bold ideas.
- Identifies opportunities others might miss.
- Pushes boundaries and encourages innovation.
Blindspots:
- Often overlooks practical details.
- Can be overly optimistic, leading to unrealistic goals.
- Sometimes struggles with follow-through on initiatives.
Tactics for Upward Management:
- Present ideas with a clear plan for execution.
- Regularly update them on progress to keep their vision grounded.
- Gently remind them of resource limitations and practical constraints.
The Data-Driven Doyen
Relies heavily on metrics, even for deciding lunch. Their decisions are backed by numbers and they can often be found buried in spreadsheets. They have a reputation for turning data into actionable insights that drive the company forward.
May be heard saying - "Is there a metric for this?"
Currently reading
"Competing on Analytics: The New Science of Winning" by Thomas H. Davenport and Jeanne G. Harris
Strengths:
- Makes informed, evidence-based decisions.
- Identifies trends and patterns quickly.
- Reduces risks by relying on data.
Blindspots:
- Can be overly reliant on data, missing the bigger picture.
- May neglect qualitative insights.
- Decision-making can be slow due to extensive analysis.
Tactics for Upward Management:
- Always support proposals with data and metrics.
- Provide concise summaries to speed up decision-making.
- Encourage consideration of qualitative factors alongside quantitative data.
The Code Crusader
Spends more time in code than in meetings, loves debugging. They are the go-to person for solving the toughest technical challenges. While they may lack people skills, their coding prowess is unmatched.
May be heard saying - "Just give me an hour alone."
Currently reading
"Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship" by Robert C. Martin
Strengths:
- Exceptional problem-solving skills.
- Deep technical expertise.
- Reliable and dedicated to finding solutions.
Blindspots:
- Limited communication and interpersonal skills.
- May overlook the importance of non-technical aspects.
- Can become too focused on minor details.
Tactics for Upward Management:
- Communicate in a clear and concise manner.
- Highlight how technical solutions impact overall business goals.
- Provide summaries of technical details for easier understanding.
The Growth Guru
Obsessed with scaling, constantly talking about user or customer acquisition. They have a keen eye for market trends and are always looking for the next big growth hack. Their enthusiasm for expansion can be both inspiring and exhausting.
May be heard saying - "Can we scale this?"
Currently reading
"Measure What Matters: OKRs: The Simple Idea that Drives 10x Growth" by John Doerr
Strengths:
- Highly motivated and driven by results.
- Excellent at identifying growth opportunities.
- Inspires a competitive, goal-oriented culture.
Blindspots:
- Can prioritise growth over sustainability.
- Sometimes ignores the core product in pursuit of expansion.
- May overlook the well-being of the team.
Tactics for Upward Management:
- Present ideas with a focus on sustainable growth.
- Remind them of the importance of core product quality.
- Advocate for team well-being and realistic growth targets.
The Social Media Sage
Believes every tweet could be the next viral sensation. They manage the company’s online presence with flair and creativity. Their strategies often bring a fresh perspective and keep the brand relevant.
May be heard saying - "How many channels can we get this on?"
Currently reading
"Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World" by Gary Vaynerchuk
Strengths:
- Strong understanding of social media trends.
- Creative and engaging content creation.
- Builds a vibrant online community.
Blindspots:
- May overestimate the impact of social media.
- Can focus too much on vanity metrics.
- Sometimes neglects other important marketing channels.
Tactics for Upward Management:
- Provide balanced reports including social media and other marketing metrics.
- Suggest multi-channel strategies for broader impact.
- Present realistic goals and expected outcomes for campaigns.
The Feature Fanatic
Constantly adding new features, even if they're unnecessary. They believe more is always better and love brainstorming new functionalities. This can lead to a bloated product, but also to innovative breakthroughs.
May be heard saying - "Can we get this into the next sprint."
Currently reading
"Inspired: How To Create Products Customers Love" by Marty Cagan
Strengths:
- Always innovating and improving the product.
- Quick to adapt to new trends and technologies.
- Keeps the product competitive and cutting-edge.
Blindspots:
- Can lead to a cluttered, overly complex product.
- Sometimes neglects core functionalities.
- May ignore user feedback in favor of new ideas.
Tactics for Upward Management:
- Prioritize and validate new feature requests with user feedback.
- Emphasize the importance of maintaining core functionalities.
- Suggest phased rollouts to manage complexity and gather data.
The UX Evangelist
Preaches the gospel of user experience to anyone who will listen. They have a deep empathy for users and advocate for intuitive design. Their insights often lead to a more user-friendly product, though their passion can sometimes come off as preachy.
May be heard saying - "Think like the user!"
Currently reading
"Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability" by Steve Krug
Strengths:
- Strong focus on user satisfaction.
- Improves product usability and accessibility.
- Enhances customer loyalty through a better experience.
Blindspots:
- Can be resistant to changes that may disrupt the user experience.
- Sometimes overlooks technical or business constraints.
- May struggle to balance user needs with company goals.
Tactics for Upward Management:
- Present user feedback and satisfaction data to support decisions.
- Highlight how technical and business constraints impact user experience.
- Advocate for a balanced approach to user-centric and business goals.
The Budget Balancer
Can find a way to save money on anything, even coffee. They have a sixth sense for cost-cutting and maximizing resources. Their frugality helps keep the company financially healthy, though it can sometimes stifle spending on necessary growth initiatives.
May be heard saying - "Is it in the budget?"
Currently reading
"Rework" by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
Strengths:
- Excellent at managing finances and resources.
- Identifies cost-saving opportunities.
- Ensures financial stability and sustainability.
Blindspots:
- Can be overly frugal, hindering necessary investments.
- Sometimes misses growth opportunities due to cost concerns.
- May create a culture of excessive penny-pinching.
Tactics for Upward Management:
- Present cost-benefit analyses for proposed expenditures.
- Highlight long-term gains from strategic investments.
- Suggest phased investments to manage cash flow and reduce risk.
The Networking Ninja
Always at a conference or meet up, collecting business cards. They excel at making connections and building relationships that benefit the company. Their extensive network often opens doors to new opportunities and partnerships.
May be heard saying - "Let's circle back on this tomorrow."
Currently reading
"The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference" by Malcolm Gladwell
Strengths:
- Builds strong, beneficial relationships.
- Creates opportunities through networking.
- Excellent at representing the company.
Blindspots:
- May prioritise quantity over quality of connections.
- Can neglect internal team relationships.
- Sometimes spends too much time networking.
Tactics for Upward Management:
- Encourage prioritisation of high-value connections.
- Highlight the importance of internal team dynamics.
- Suggest balancing networking with other responsibilities.
The Customer Whisperer
Has an uncanny ability to know what customers want before they do. They excel in customer relations and feedback gathering, ensuring the product meets user needs. Their intuitive understanding of the market often guides successful product development.
May be heard saying - "The customer is always right!"
Currently reading
"Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose" by Tony Hsieh
Strengths:
- Deep understanding of customer needs and preferences.
- Builds strong customer relationships.
- Drives customer-focused product development.
Blindspots:
- Can be too accommodating to customer demands.
- Sometimes struggles to balance customer and company needs.
- May overlook broader market trends in favor of current customer feedback.
Tactics for Upward Management:
- Balance customer demands with strategic business goals.
- Present data on market trends alongside customer feedback.
- Encourage a focus on scalable solutions for common customer needs.