As your business grows, do you ever feel like a guest in your own house? Imposter syndrome, fear of micromanaging, and distance from day-to-day details—it’s a common struggle for founders.
Remember, this is YOUR house.
A founder is not a typical CEO. You risked everything to back yourself. A significant part of your net worth is tied up in the business you created. You sacrificed a lot to build this house.
Bringing in great people to handle details is the right move, but they are guests in YOUR house. Welcome them, pride yourself on being an excellent host, but don’t let yourself be pushed aside.
You’re a generous host, offering drinks, meals, and a place to stay—but the master bedroom is yours. Nowhere is off-limits to you. Guests don’t get to bring others without your approval or argue when you ask them to leave. If they can’t respect your house rules, they might not be the right fit.
You might offer the master bedroom or adjust your behaviour to make guests comfortable, but it’s your choice. If you want to check on someone in marketing, ask them directly. You might go through the manager out of respect, but you’re not obligated to. If you want to visit the warehouse or question a team member’s fit, act on it.
No one likes being called a micromanager, but that’s a different issue. A micromanager skips context, bypasses leaders, and issues abrupt orders. A good founder stays connected, explains the ‘why,’ and empowers the team while guiding decisions.
You might avoid the corner office or prime parking spot to feel like “one of the team.” That’s understandable, but you are different. You’re the host. Own it. Don’t deny yourself privileges you’ve earned—it’s like being embarrassed to sleep in the master bedroom when you have guests.
You might insist your team tracks leave in the HR system while you don’t. You might walk in at 10 and leave at 4, but they don’t see the weekends you worked or sacrifices you’ve made to get here.
The exception is your company’s values. These must align with your own. If you can’t live them, you’ve chosen the wrong values.
You don’t need to justify this host/guest differentiation. As a founder, you’re likely the hardest-working, most stressed person in the business. You’ll ensure payroll is met during tight cashflow while maxing out your credit cards to keep the business afloat.
Your role as a founder is unique. Own your space, lead with clarity, and don’t shy away from the privileges you’ve earned. Stay true to yourself and your values, and you’ll inspire the right people to thrive alongside you in YOUR house.
Tango Mike 
Leave a comment