It’s the age-old tale of man vs. himself. Only this time, he’s leading a startup, wearing Allbirds, quoting Naval, and hoarding Notion docs like they’re sacred texts. Some of the most revolutionary startup ideas never get to see the light of day. Not because someone beat them to market. Not because the product lacked potential. But because the person driving the ship decided to steer with blindfolds on.

The founder, who once inspired with vision, slowly turns into a saboteur. Not because they meant to. But because they couldn’t evolve. This is how the death spiral begins. It doesn’t announce itself. It creeps in through ego, settles in the lack of structure, and accelerates every time a founder ignores hard truths.

By the time reality hits, it’s too late to course correct. You’re out of runway, out of talent, and out of trust.

The Myth of the Brilliant Idea

Founders often believe they’ve stumbled onto the one idea no one else has thought of. That they’re sitting on the next Uber, but for [insert whatever].

Reality check: Ideas are worthless without execution. And execution without structure is just chaos with a logo. …