CEO PerspectivesPillar 8: Leadership & Management
2026-10-16
08:43
I Found the Wrong Person in My Company. It Was Me.
Learn how to recognize when you have become the operational bottleneck in your company and evaluate the signs that indicate it is time to change seats.
Co-Founder, GTM Partners & Author of MOVE
Streaming directly from GTM Partners Video Hub
About This Video
Topic
Founder Bottlenecks and Executive Role Transitions
Audience
CEOs, CROs, CMOs & GTM leaders
Frameworks Covered
Executive Takeaways
- Recognizing the founder bottleneck: skills that initially launch a company can eventually stall growth if leaders hold operational roles past their expiration date.
- Three indicators you are in the wrong seat: you are solving the same problems as a year ago, your team is waiting on you more than working with you, and you would not hire yourself for your current role today.
- Stepping out of the bottleneck: transitioning into specialized roles, such as chief evangelist, allows executives to focus on their highest-leverage strengths while freeing the team to scale.
Key Questions Answered in This Video
What are the signs that a founder or executive has become a bottleneck?
Three main signs include solving the same operational problems you solved a year ago, having your team consistently waiting on you rather than working with you, and realizing you would not hire yourself for the role today.
What question should leaders ask to evaluate if they are in the wrong seat?
Leaders should ask a trusted advisor, co-founder, or peer: 'Am I in the right seat?' to get an honest assessment of whether their role is accelerating or slowing down company execution.
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