Founders Beware: The Archetype Will Kill You

As founders, we all have had the visions - what our entrepreneurial journey is going to look like - the greatness:

Have an idea.

Can’t stop thinking about it.

Brilliant.

Start a company.

Go all-in.

Raise money.

Always grind.

Post on social.

Send the email.

Nail the sales pitch.

Hire the A-team.

Empower them.

Impress investors.

Raise venture capital.

Start a blog.

Grow and keep growing.

Stage, hands-free mic, clicker.

IPO.

Rich.

Invest in other winners.

Richer.

Legend.

It's a script that's been etched into our collective imagination: conceive a brilliant idea, take the entrepreneurial plunge, secure funding, and ride the wave of success into the sunset. It's a story we've seen in movies, read in books, and absorbed through countless news articles and social media feeds.

But here's the catch—it's an archetype, it’s not real. 

An archetype is defined as “a very typical example of a person or thing.” In this case, the founder archetype represents the epitome of entrepreneurial triumph. It's the relentless go-getter who never sleeps, always grinds, and, without exception, emerges victorious from every battle. This idealized image creates an immense amount of pressure on aspiring founders, who often find their own identities tightly intertwined with their ventures.

The Danger of the Archetype

An archetype is a double-edged sword. While it can serve as a source of inspiration, it can also become a dangerous trap. As Morgan Housel brilliantly articulates in The Psychology of Money:

“Studying a specific person can be dangerous because we tend to study extreme examples - the billionaires, the CEOs, or the massive failures that dominate the news - and extreme examples are often the least applicable to other situations, given their complexity. The more extreme the outcome, the less likely you can apply its lessons to your own life because the more likely the outcome was influenced by extreme ends of luck or risk.”

In essence, when we fixate on anomalies, we risk losing touch with the nuanced reality of entrepreneurship. We become susceptible to the fallacy that the best founders always win, in every situation, every day. This expectation can lead to feelings of inadequacy, impostor syndrome, and constant self-doubt.

The Real Struggles of Startup Founders

The truth is, entrepreneurship is far from the fairytale depicted by the archetype - and every founder reading this knows it. It's a journey filled with uncertainty, challenges, and setbacks. Success is rarely a straight line; it's more like a rollercoaster ride with exhilarating highs and stomach-churning lows.

Rather than striving to fit the mold of an archetype, founders should focus on embracing their individuality and authenticity. Entrepreneurship is not about replicating someone else's success; it's about charting your unique path, learning from experiences, and adapting to challenges.

Embrace Your Journey

It's essential to recognize the danger of fixating on an archetype that doesn't align with the realities of entrepreneurship - or with who you are. The journey is filled with ups and downs, and the most successful founders are those who remain resilient, adaptable, and true to themselves.

What makes you unique - your background, your experiences, what you’ve seen, your combination of strengths and weaknesses, your passion - that is where your power comes from.  

Your business will be driven by fundamentals - understanding your customer, providing a great product/service, generating revenue and growth, etc.  But you are not your business - you are the single individual who has a vision for it and who is responsible for leading it.

So, let go of the unrealistic expectations, break free from the mold, and embark on your entrepreneurial adventure with authenticity and self-compassion. Success may not look like the archetype, but it will be uniquely yours, and that's what truly matters.

If you are struggling to unlock your own potential as a founder, check out how we can help and our recommended reads for founders here.

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