Founders: Are You Leading, or Are You in the Weeds?

In the Weeds?

As a founder, you’ve likely faced sleepless nights worrying about operational details. Maybe you’ve even woken up at 2 a.m. wondering, "Is everything running smoothly? Did we miss something critical?" These moments aren’t just exhausting—they’re counterproductive to your role as a visionary.

Let’s discuss what it takes to scale successfully or prepare for an exit. This isn’t about me; it’s about you and your business. How do you create an environment where you can focus on strategy, growth, and big deals without being pulled into day-to-day operations? Here are some thoughts to consider:

The Visionary’s Role

Your primary job isn’t to handle operational details—it’s to lead. A great visionary spends their time:

• Reviewing scorecards filled with meaningful KPIs (Key Performance Indicators).

• Monitoring Rocks (90-day goals) to ensure the team stays on track.

• Meeting with key stakeholders and planning for the future.

If you’re constantly in the weeds, you’re doing a disservice to yourself, your team, and other stakeholders. They need you at your best—energized, clear-headed, and focused on the big picture.

The Power of a Great Implementer

No founder can do it all. That’s why having a strong COO or operations leader is essential. This person ensures everything runs smoothly so you can focus on driving the company forward. Even the best visionaries can get bogged down in the details without a strong implementer.

Why a Business Operating System (BOS) Matters

A Business Operating System (BOS) ties all the operational pieces of your business together. It’s built on years of trial and error and best practices from some of the most brilliant business minds. With a BOS in place, you won’t have to "make it up as you go." It provides clarity and structure to answer critical questions like:

• How should we run our meetings?

• Are we hiring the right people and setting them up for success?

• Do we have the correct data to make informed decisions?

Without a BOS, many founders admit they’re doing their best. But why settle for that when there’s a proven system?

The Hardest Part of Business: People

Getting the people part right is the most challenging aspect of business. Your team should:

• Be highly engaged and invested in your company.

• Love working for you and be aligned with your vision.

• Stay committed even if offered more money elsewhere.

In today’s post-COVID work environment, where employees demand flexibility, having a BOS ensures that every aspect of your business—from vision to exit planning—is firing on all cylinders.

The 9 Core Competencies Every Business Needs

A great BOS focuses on these critical areas:

1. Vision: Ensuring everyone is aligned with where you’re going.

2. Goals: Setting and achieving clear objectives.

3. Ideal Customer Profile: Knowing exactly who you’re serving.

4. People: Hiring, training, and retaining the right talent.

5. Structure: Creating an effective organizational chart.

6. Data: Using meaningful metrics to guide decisions.

7. Meetings: Running productive, results-oriented discussions.

8. Procedures: Documenting and following SOPs.

9. Exit Planning: Preparing for a successful transition.

What About You?

Let’s flip the script. What’s keeping you up at night?

Are you spending too much time in the weeds?

Have you found a proven system to run your business? Or are you, like most founders, figuring it out as you go?

Scaling and exiting successfully isn’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone or without a plan. Share your thoughts below—I’d love to hear about your challenges, wins, or what’s working for you. Let’s start a conversation about how you can achieve more while working smarter.