FOUNDER POWER - Irrational Belief....

I have had the pleasure of working with, meeting and studying many founders during career. However the one principle or trait that stands out as the linchpin of success is something I am calling: Founder Power.

It is an irrational belief that the world needs your product, business, or service.

In this article I wanted to delve into what Founder Power is, why it's crucial, and how to nurture and pass it on.

1. Defining Founder Power: Founder Power is the audacious belief that what you're bringing to the table is not just valuable but indispensable. It's a potent mix of confidence, bordering on arrogance, and an unwavering self-belief that propels founders forward in the face of challenges.

I remember back in 2012 when I went to a London Brewers Alliance meeting to pitch the idea of Craft Beer Rising (new model beer festival at the time).

Brewers had to pay to have a space, then our part of the deal was to bring all the buyers and then consumers to the show to buy their beer. Simple, so I thought.

I was literally booed out of the room, everyone telling me it would never work and that is not how beer festivals work.

That is when founder power kicked in, in fact that rejection increased my power and fuelled my belief and in 2013 we launched CBR and it was a pillar event in the industry for years to come, and many of those brewers who booed me out of the room attended the very first event.

2. The Balancing Act: While Founder Power is the secret sauce of success, it's essential to strike a balance. Too much, and it can turn into hubris; too little, and doubt creeps in. The sweet spot lies in maintaining a delicate equilibrium, where confidence fuels innovation without veering too much into arrogance. I wrote a couple of weeks for the need for ego as a founder and I believe you go need to be a little bit arrogant to make new and amazing stuff happen.

3. Passing the Torch: Being a founder is rarely a solo journey; so how do we harness our power as it is a force that should radiate outward and become the secret sauce of you business. Share your conviction with your team, investors, and customers. When others catch the spark, it transforms into a collective energy that propels the entire business forward.

4. Battling the Everyday Grind: Being a founder is a long game - it is a marathon, not a sprint. The daily grind can erode Founder Power, especially through the insidious whispers of the inner critic. Recognise these moments and fortify your belief system with resilience and determination.

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t your probably right

We have to continue to fuel our belief system with positive thoughts, we attract what we are not what we want, so focus on changing your thoughts in the moment.

5. Tools for Optimal Founder Power: 

a. Mindfulness Practices: Incorporate mindfulness into your routine to stay grounded and focused. Meditate, breath work, exercise - make sure you build it into your routine. 

b. Positive Affirmations: Remind yourself daily of your mission and the value you bring to the world. Whether you think you can or you think you can’t your probably right. We have to continue to fuel our belief system with positive thoughts, we attract what we are not what we want, so focus on changing your thoughts in the moment. 

c. Peer Support: Surround yourself with a network of like-minded founders who understand the journey.

6. Lost Your Founder Power?

I look at the founder power like the fuel gauge on your car, or the recovery score on your Whoop Band. 

It can go up and down depending on what is happening to you and your business at anyone time. 

There might be a time that you are running on empty, thats ok however it is important to fill up quickly and drive your vision forward.

Somethings that might help:

a. Self-Reflection: Assess what triggered the loss of power and address it at its roots. 

b. Reconnect with Your Why: Revisit the passion that led you to start this journey in the first place. 

c. Get a Coach: Sometimes, an external perspective is the catalyst needed for a resurgence. A coach can provide guidance, constructive feedback, and a roadmap for reclaiming your Founder Power. Founder Power is the lifeblood of entrepreneurial success.

Embrace it, nurture it, and share it. In the ever-evolving landscape of startups, your unwavering belief in your vision can be the difference between a fleeting idea and a transformative legacy.