{"id":620675,"date":"2024-05-16T16:58:02","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T13:58:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/the-rise-of-the-augmented-startup-founder\/"},"modified":"2024-05-16T16:58:02","modified_gmt":"2024-05-16T13:58:02","slug":"the-rise-of-the-augmented-startup-founder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-rise-of-the-augmented-startup-founder\/","title":{"rendered":"#The rise of the \u2018augmented\u2019 startup founder"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a35a9ec755e8\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a35a9ec755e8\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-rise-of-the-augmented-startup-founder\/#Founders_struggle_with_startup_pressure\" >Founders struggle with startup pressure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-rise-of-the-augmented-startup-founder\/#Unhappy_leaders_lead_to_unhappy_teams\" >Unhappy leaders lead to unhappy teams<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-rise-of-the-augmented-startup-founder\/#Becoming_an_%E2%80%98augmented_founder\" >Becoming an \u2018augmented founder\u2019<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-rise-of-the-augmented-startup-founder\/#The_pillars_of_success_courage_clarity_and_support\" >The pillars of success: courage, clarity, and support<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div id=\"article-main-content\">\n                            <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The modern startup founder will tell you work never stops. What they\u2019re far less likely to tell you is that stress, anxiety, panic, and feelings of failure never stop either.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From worrying about funding and filling skills gaps in an uber-competitive environment, to simply running out of available working time to clear to-do lists \u2014 leaders contend with countless unique and interchangeable stresses on a daily basis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether it\u2019s a lack of time, money or talent, these stresses contribute to a culture of overworking, and a vicious cycle of inefficiency that affects productivity overall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the past we\u2019ve seen \u2018toxic resilience\u2019 worn as a badge of honour \u2014 looking at <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/technology\/2018\/11\/27\/elon-musk-workers-should-put-80-hours-week-change-world\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elon Musk\u2019s 100-hour work week<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/bill-gates-startup-founders-should-not-take-vacations-2019-6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bill Gates\u2019 suggestion that founders never take a holiday.<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, as understanding of mental health grows, there is an increasing awareness \u2014 and concern \u2014 around the long-term physical and mental impact that these stresses are having on startup leaders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Founders_struggle_with_startup_pressure\"><\/span><strong>Founders struggle with startup pressure<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"inarticle-wrapper latest channel-cta hs-embed-tnw\">\n<div id=\"hs-embed-tnw\" class=\"channel-cta-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"channel-cta-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/events.tnw\/hardfork-2018\/uploads\/visuals\/tnw-newsletter.png\"\/><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/events.tnw\/hardfork-2018\/uploads\/visuals\/tnw-newsletter.png\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"channel-cta-input\">\n<p class=\"channel-cta-title\">The &lt;3 of EU tech<\/p>\n<p class=\"channel-cta-tagline\">The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol&#8217; founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It&#8217;s free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almost all industry insight available concludes the same thing \u2014 startup founders are struggling. Investors are very quick to explain they buy into founders themselves, as well as the businesses they lead.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For founders, this can necessitate a need to show a near-superhero level of resilience and outward confidence, such is their desperation to get ideas off the ground. However, the data tells us\u00a0that much of this confidence is an act.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VCs have described 2024 as the year of an \u2018<\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/founder-mental-health-crisis-startups-venture-capital-2024-1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">unprecedented founder mental health crisis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019, with 72% of founders reporting that entrepreneurship has directly <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/annefield\/2023\/04\/29\/startup-founders-report-entrepreneurship-is-taking-a-toll-on-their-mental-health\/?sh=33eb00002192\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">impacted their mental health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This is driving many founders, <\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sifted.eu\/articles\/founder-mental-health-2024\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as many as half<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, to consider quitting their startup altogether.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breega\u2019s scaling squad \u2014 designed specifically to provide pastoral support for founders in their business journey \u2014 has spoken to countless founders who have reported experiencing huge anxiety, night terrors, and struggles in their personal and professional life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of this relates directly to work-based stress. Fear of failure, massively outdated stigmas around mental health, and the pace of movement in the startup space leave little room for introspection and support-seeking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The result, for far too long, has been founders who have become isolated, and ill-equipped to prioritise both growing workloads and their own wellbeing. In short, they\u2019ve lost the ability to breathe.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Unhappy_leaders_lead_to_unhappy_teams\"><\/span><strong>Unhappy leaders lead to unhappy teams<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These struggles don\u2019t occur in a vacuum either. Unhealthy behaviours demonstrated at the top often impact the entire company culture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of understanding around wellbeing, and its importance, generates a work environment characterised by fear, suppressed communication, and increased risk of burnout at all levels. This means that innovation suffers, talent retention becomes much more challenging, and team morale erodes over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of this begs the question \u2014 as an industry, how can we solve this?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VCs can play a significant role in offering genuine support and guidance \u2014 particularly in the cases where they have operated as founders themselves. Workshopping through an issue, or having a clear support structure and available guidance in place, can provide founders with clarity on next steps, and reduce the level of uncertainty that they may feel in making a decision.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Becoming_an_%E2%80%98augmented_founder\"><\/span><strong>Becoming an \u2018augmented founder\u2019<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Equally important is empowering leaders to become \u2018augmented founders\u2019 themselves. These are leaders who have developed a low ego and high self-awareness, thanks to robust and regular support systems in place with coaches, therapists or any qualified professional. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They recognise that addressing their personal well-being isn\u2019t a sign of weakness but rather a vital investment in themselves and the longevity of their company.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just as founders use <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a> to optimise work, an \u2018augmented founder\u2019 taps into the power of human connection. They should begin to acknowledge that their role as a leader is based on enabling others, rather than shouldering every burden alone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As such, they surround themselves with a team whose strengths complement their own. This <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>roach requires a willingness to assess their own abilities and weaknesses, and the desire to consciously move away from ego-driven decision-making.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Self-care needs to be seen as a critical business investment, of which robust support systems are built around. This should flow through all levels of the business \u2014 with deliberate hiring efforts to meet ongoing skills gaps, relieving pressure, and building a well-rounded team. Finally, there needs to be a culture of open communication and continuous improvement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Founders who prioritise their own well-being are not only stronger leaders, but they also inspire and attract top talent who value a healthy work environment. The \u2018augmented founder\u2019 isn\u2019t just adapting to change, they\u2019re creating the change by shaping a more sustainable and human-focused future for startups.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This approach fosters a sort-of kinder resilience in leaders \u2014 driving better decision-making, stronger teams, and ultimately, greater potential for long-term business success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_pillars_of_success_courage_clarity_and_support\"><\/span><strong>The pillars of success: courage, clarity, and support<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, the success of a startup rests upon three core pillars: courage, clarity, and support.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To foster innovation in the UK, we need a thriving startup culture, in which founders and innovators feel happy and supported as they bring new ideas to market. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coaching and regular feedback sessions contribute directly to these pillars by assisting in leadership development, promoting open communication, and establishing a supportive environment conducive to continuous learning and growth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This approach empowers leaders and creates the \u2018augmented founder\u2019 ideal, ultimately driving the success of the organisation.\u00a0<\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/rise-augmented-founder-mental-health-crisis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The modern startup founder will tell you work never stops. What they\u2019re far less likely to tell you is that stress, anxiety, panic, and feelings of failure never stop either.\u00a0 From worrying about funding and filling skills gaps in an uber-competitive environment, to simply running out of available working time to clear to-do lists \u2014&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":620676,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/tnw-blurple?filter_last=1&fit=1280%2C640&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn0.tnwcdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fblogs.dir%2F1%2Ffiles%2F2024%2F05%2FDALL%C2%B7E-2024-05-16-15.50.49-An-abstract-representation-of-diverse-and-relaxed-startup-founders-with-good-mental-health-capable-of-delegating-and-sharing-responsibilities.-The-im-e1715867538823.jpeg&signature=50034de20fe814930dfea6d3a23a33bf","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-620675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/620675","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=620675"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/620675\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/620676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=620675"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=620675"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=620675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}