Read on Twitter
1/ One of the things I look for in founders is whether they’re “learning animals”: Do they constantly pursue learning? Do they effectively scale themselves?
A few years ago @Stanford I set out to unearth how founders learn
Here’s what I learned (thread) https://mercebent.medium.com/founders-are-made-not-born-part-i-86c00effda6c
A few years ago @Stanford I set out to unearth how founders learn
Here’s what I learned (thread) https://mercebent.medium.com/founders-are-made-not-born-part-i-86c00effda6c
2/ In 45 calls w/founders, 6 pillars of "learning animals" emerged. These founders:
1. Have squads
2. Are skillful question askers
3. Make self-awareness a routine
4. Navigate advice overload
5. Scale in phased mindset shifts
6. Break the “Vulnerability-Confidence Tradeofff” Myth
1. Have squads
2. Are skillful question askers
3. Make self-awareness a routine
4. Navigate advice overload
5. Scale in phased mindset shifts
6. Break the “Vulnerability-Confidence Tradeofff” Myth
3/ Founders need Squads 
Founders were nearly unanimous on this. After all:
"Studying Michael Jordan or Mark Zuckerberg is not helpful. Studying someone one step ahead of you is.."
&
"I went into this thinking our investors would be who we leaned on most....but [not always]"
Founders were nearly unanimous on this. After all:
"Studying Michael Jordan or Mark Zuckerberg is not helpful. Studying someone one step ahead of you is.."
&
"I went into this thinking our investors would be who we leaned on most....but [not always]"
4/ Asking questions is a skill
"I learned by being systematic about talking to people smarter than myself...I made a table matrix of who I talk to and for what topic..." -Reid Hoffman
&
"Great founders ask networks for introductions on specific topics" https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/24/learning-how-to-ask-questions-is-an-essential-skill-for-startup-founders/
"I learned by being systematic about talking to people smarter than myself...I made a table matrix of who I talk to and for what topic..." -Reid Hoffman
&
"Great founders ask networks for introductions on specific topics" https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/24/learning-how-to-ask-questions-is-an-essential-skill-for-startup-founders/
5/ Self Awareness as a routine
the key is to systematize so you have a constant flow of self-growth info
"I ask for feedback from reports constantly. Every 1v1...I want to know how I’m doing.”
&
“As a founder you’re optimizing for ‘who am I'..." https://mercebent.medium.com/founders-are-made-not-born-part-iii-e736d65e1b13
the key is to systematize so you have a constant flow of self-growth info
"I ask for feedback from reports constantly. Every 1v1...I want to know how I’m doing.”
&
“As a founder you’re optimizing for ‘who am I'..." https://mercebent.medium.com/founders-are-made-not-born-part-iii-e736d65e1b13
6/ Navigate advice overload 
"The real skill is pattern recognition of knowing who to listen to."
&
"Judgement is the most impt criteria for founder success. Comes from: 1) ability to process info 2) large network: learn from others’ mistakes https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/17/startup-founders-must-overcome-information-overload/
"The real skill is pattern recognition of knowing who to listen to."
&
"Judgement is the most impt criteria for founder success. Comes from: 1) ability to process info 2) large network: learn from others’ mistakes https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/17/startup-founders-must-overcome-information-overload/
7/ Scale in phased mindset shifts
"You need to understand what leadership model is required for the next stage, and go be that."
&
“If a startup exit is really just a step function of different phases, you have be the right leader for each stage." https://mercebent.medium.com/founders-are-made-not-born-part-v-bc90d5fcb2be
"You need to understand what leadership model is required for the next stage, and go be that."
&
“If a startup exit is really just a step function of different phases, you have be the right leader for each stage." https://mercebent.medium.com/founders-are-made-not-born-part-v-bc90d5fcb2be
8/ Break the “Vulnerability←→Confidence Tradeoff” Myth
"Learning is almost inherently vulnerable. It’s hard to choose what depth to show at any moment"
&
“Great founders can switch back & forth quickly btwn self assuredness & saying they don’t know" https://mercebent.medium.com/founders-are-made-not-born-part-vi-773d86ae1103
"Learning is almost inherently vulnerable. It’s hard to choose what depth to show at any moment"
&
“Great founders can switch back & forth quickly btwn self assuredness & saying they don’t know" https://mercebent.medium.com/founders-are-made-not-born-part-vi-773d86ae1103
9/ Silicon Valley is full of mythical tales about entrepreneurship. We even have our own fantasy mascot, the unicorn 
I hope these tales of founder learning make it less mythical & more clear that Founders are Made, Not Born
Founders, pls share your best learning resources
I hope these tales of founder learning make it less mythical & more clear that Founders are Made, Not Born
Founders, pls share your best learning resources
