As last Friday came to a close, I shared a poll with my network to identify the biggest stressors as we all headed into our weekend:
End of Friday Pressures:
1) Shrinking Budgets
2) Organizational Politics
3) Producing Results & Maintaining Momentum
4) Competition & Rapid Change
Andrea Wallace, CEO of Opnr, said “I’ll take ‘all of the above’ for $500, Alex 😂.”
Poll Results:
– Tied for third were Competition and Organizational Politics at 13%.
– Budget concerns took second place at 25%.
– Leading the pack, 50% identified Producing Results and Maintaining Momentum as their top concern.
This didn’t surprise me. Budget constraints and internal politics are constants. However, the relentless pursuit of extraordinary outcomes and navigating an endless cycle of striving without pause presents a distinct challenge. It’s become unthinkable to say, “That’s enough,” in our hyper-competitive world.
I confess, I’m contributing to the problem. I didn’t realize I had been unknowingly adding to our collective pressure. The realization doesn’t sit well with me.
Michelle Ripper Lewis, VP of Clinical Engagement & Solutions at Mentavi Health, said, “In the current economic and investment weather, not only do we have to build products rapidly, but we also have to race (like seriously athletic real deal racing) to break even. To get there, you have to hit the Big 3: High Value, High Quality, and Innovative/Disruptive.”
This drive to outperform, out-deliver, and dream bigger feels ingrained, especially in startups. With the current investment climate, many dreams are being tested or broken, adding additional pressure to perform and innovate.
As a founder, you’re pushing sunshine into a pitch-black void. You hope for an echo of light. You don’t have time to think about pressures more significant than what’s around you each day.
Reflecting on my younger self, I realize I hadn’t accounted for setbacks or factors beyond my control. The relentless pressure seemed insurmountable and unforgiving. Today, I understand the importance of acknowledging the pressure and its impact. I like to give it room to breathe.
I really wasn’t expecting to drag you into the metaphysical mud with a LinkedIn poll. But I’m glad I did.
This year, I’m committed to slowing down and asking more questions than ever. One of the joys of asking questions is where they lead. It’s incredibly refreshing when a strategic question sparks moments of self-reflection.
Has that happened to you lately?
