'Founder' is a state of mind, not a job description, and if done right, even CEOs who join after day 1 can become founders.
Interpretation
Being a founder is about mindset and approach rather than formal title or position.
Reid Hoffman's quote emphasizes that the essence of being a founder lies in one's mindset and attitude towards innovation and leadership, rather than merely holding the title of 'founder.' It suggests that even those who join a company later, such as CEOs, can adopt a founder's mentality by embodying creativity, a willingness to take risks, and a vision for growth—qualities essential for driving a company's success.
In practice
In a motivational speech to aspiring entrepreneurs, you might say, 'Remember, being a founder is a state of mind.'
Leaders, whether in the public or the private sphere, must understand the responsibilities that come with their role. They are the most visible standard-bearers of their organizations. Holding them accountable to this responsibility protects the promise of our organizations and our communities.
The same instincts that make us good students can make us lousy entrepreneurs.
The entrepreneurial journey starts with jumping off a cliff and assembling an airplane on the way down.
Any effort to make the death penalty speedier and less costly - more 'efficient' - will inevitably make it less just.
I've long believed that if you're not embarrassed by your first product release, you've released too late.
Good ideas need good strategy to realize their potential.
I will be vigilant to protect the independence and integrity of the Supreme Court, and I will work to ensure that it upholds the rule of law and safeguards those liberties that make this land one of endless possibilities for all Americans.
Earn your leadership every day.
At Facebook, we try to be a strengths-based organization, which means we try to make jobs fit around people rather than make people fit around jobs. We focus on what people's natural strengths are and spend our management time trying to find ways for them to use those strengths every day.
I hate to speak about individuals. Players don't win you trophies, teams win trophies, squads win trophies.
There are times when even the best manager is like the little boy with the big dog, waiting to see where the dog wants to go so he can take him there.
The thing women must do to rise to power is to redefine their femininity. Once, power was considered a masculine attribute. In fact power has no sex.
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