Listen "Let's Get Back to Our WHY"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter explore the vital importance of maintaining a startup's foundational 'why' – the core reason for its existence. They discuss the excitement and clarity that founders experience in the early stages, the operational challenges that can cause them to lose sight of their mission over time, and practical strategies for rekindling that original passion. Through personal anecdotes and examples of companies like Apple and Google, the hosts underscore how minor compromises can erode a company's core mission. They emphasize the need for founders to continuously revisit and reinforce their original motivations to ensure sustained passion and purpose. Listeners will gain insights on recognizing when they've deviated from their vision, the benefits of realigning with the 'why', and actionable steps to recenter their focus, all while maintaining clarity and engagement within their teams.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/st...Websitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn / startups-co Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroter / wilschroter Ryan Rutan / ryan-rutan What to listen for00:29 The Importance of 'Why' in Startups03:17 Losing Sight of the 'Why'05:24 Diagnosing the Loss of 'Why'09:21 The Impact of Compromises15:56 Tiny Compromises Lead to Major Changes18:48 The Slippery Slope of Compromises19:50 Losing Sight of the 'Why'20:50 Rediscovering the Purpose22:12 The Importance of Remembering the 'Why'24:30 Practical Steps to Reconnect with the 'Why'30:55 Identifying and Correcting Misalignments35:36 The Constant Battle to Maintain the 'Why'
More episodes of the podcast Startup Therapy
Are startups the future of employment?
03/12/2025
The Founder Hard Reset
25/11/2025
Prioritize Productivity Over Popularity
07/11/2025
Better is Better than Bigger
27/10/2025
Founder Authenticity: Use with Caution
22/10/2025
Founders, Embrace Your Flaws
14/10/2025
Is Remote Culture, Actually Culture?
06/10/2025
Can I Hand Off My Startup?
29/09/2025
Did I Just Get Promoted or Fired?
22/09/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.