Who should founders listen to for advice?
Founders should choose one person to listen to for advice, as seeking advice from multiple sources can be overwhelming and time-consuming.
Your job as a founder is to build a company not just get advice
Your job as a founder is to build a company, not just get advice.
- Many founders waste time seeking advice until they hear what they want to hear.
- "Shopping for advice" is counterproductive.
- Averaging out advice leads to mediocrity.
- Successful startups thrive on unique and exceptional ideas.
- Focus on identifying and following the outliers.
Pick someone and "Make for yourself a Rabbi" - https://blog.ycombinator.com/what-to-do-with-too-much-advice/
The importance of choosing a single advisor or mentor, referred to as a "rabbi," for founders to listen to for advice is emphasized. Having someone with context and understanding of the founder's work is valuable, as they are more likely to provide valuable advice. A simple framework for selecting this advisor is mentioned.
Pick an advisor who gives nuanced advice
- Choose an advisor who provides nuanced advice rather than simple yes or no answers
- Advisors lacking nuance may lack knowledge or experience
- Advisors with more experience with different startups will have more nuanced advice
Pick an advisor who's seen the game multiple times
- Founders should choose advisors who have experienced the game multiple times
- Advisors who have only seen one company do things in a specific way may provide advice that is not applicable
- It is important to select advisors who offer nuanced and non-prescriptive advice
- Advisors who have encountered various iterations of similar problems are valuable
Pick an advisor you get along with
- Prioritize finding an advisor you get along with and enjoy spending time with
- Don't solely focus on their expertise and reputation
- Building a strong relationship with your advisor enhances the quality of their advice, even if it's difficult to hear
At the end of the day you need to evaluate the advice on its own merit
- Founders should evaluate advice based on its own merit, not the person giving it
- Consider the logic and quality of the advice
- Assess the advice over time
Who should founders listen to for advice?
Founders should choose one person to listen to for advice, as seeking advice from multiple sources can be overwhelming and time-consuming.
Your job as a founder is to build a company not just get advice
Your job as a founder is to build a company, not just get advice.
- Many founders waste time seeking advice until they hear what they want to hear.
- "Shopping for advice" is counterproductive.
- Averaging out advice leads to mediocrity.
- Successful startups thrive on unique and exceptional ideas.
- Focus on identifying and following the outliers.
Pick someone and "Make for yourself a Rabbi" - https://blog.ycombinator.com/what-to-do-with-too-much-advice/
The importance of choosing a single advisor or mentor, referred to as a "rabbi," for founders to listen to for advice is emphasized. Having someone with context and understanding of the founder's work is valuable, as they are more likely to provide valuable advice. A simple framework for selecting this advisor is mentioned.
Pick an advisor who gives nuanced advice
- Choose an advisor who provides nuanced advice rather than simple yes or no answers
- Advisors lacking nuance may lack knowledge or experience
- Advisors with more experience with different startups will have more nuanced advice
Pick an advisor who's seen the game multiple times
- Founders should choose advisors who have experienced the game multiple times
- Advisors who have only seen one company do things in a specific way may provide advice that is not applicable
- It is important to select advisors who offer nuanced and non-prescriptive advice
- Advisors who have encountered various iterations of similar problems are valuable
Pick an advisor you get along with
- Prioritize finding an advisor you get along with and enjoy spending time with
- Don't solely focus on their expertise and reputation
- Building a strong relationship with your advisor enhances the quality of their advice, even if it's difficult to hear
At the end of the day you need to evaluate the advice on its own merit
- Founders should evaluate advice based on its own merit, not the person giving it
- Consider the logic and quality of the advice
- Assess the advice over time