Listen "You only THINK you work HARD — The Hard Work Illusion"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode of the Startup Therapy podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter talk about the common misconception around 'working hard' within startups. They question the measurement of hard work, arguing that effort does not necessarily equate to progress or beneficial outcomes. The need for clear benchmarks within organizations to truly reward and recognize valuable contributions. Additionally, they challenge the notion of what constitutes as 'hard work' and the danger of equating all effort with success, proposing a more nuanced understanding that could lead to more effective and rewarding startup cultures.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/What to Listen For00:17 The Misconception of Hard Work in Startup Culture02:49 Real Value of Hard Work in Startups04:29 The Effort vs. Progress Dilemma 06:40 Effort, Progress, and Reward10:22 Learning from Effort and Reward15:46 The Misconception of Effort vs. Outcome17:36 Setting Expectations Across Management Levels19:30 The Importance of Measurable Outcomes28:31 Setting the Right Expectations and Rewards
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.