Do you ever feel like you’re searching for a vision?
Like it shifts and evolves as you build your venture? That’s because in the world of startups, uncertainty is the norm.
Stanford professor Steve Blank, the pioneer of the Lean Startup Movement, put it simply: “Startups are not smaller versions of existing companies.” In fact, he argues that many founders start with little more than a hunch—or in some cases, a mirage:
"On the day the company starts, there is very limited customer input. All the startup has is a vision of what the problem, product, and solution seem to be. Unfortunately, it’s either a vision or a hallucination. The company doesn’t know who its initial customers are or what features they’ll want." (Blank & Dorf, 2020, p. 60)
The Leadership Challenge
Startups are filled with unknowns. Founders often begin with an overarching vision of what they think their business will become, only to find that vision evolving—or even narrowing to a product vision—as the company grows.
The risks of not testing assumptions are high. As Steve Blank noted, a startup’s initial vision may be closer to fiction than fact. This is where de-risking becomes critical. By testing their vision and empowering their teams to challenge assumptions, founders can avoid costly missteps and ensure their business evolves in alignment with market needs.
This idea brings us to Vision360 Leadership Principle 7:
Entrepreneurial teams de-risk new ventures by testing the founder’s vision.
Principle 7: Testing the Founder’s Vision
Entrepreneurial success begins with refining assumptions. By testing their vision, founders can turn unproven ideas into actionable strategies.
Startups operate in a dynamic environment where customer preferences, market conditions, and industry trends constantly change. Founders who involve their teams in testing and refining their vision are better positioned to succeed.
In Chapter 6 of Visionary Leadership, I outlined three key components of this process:
Understanding the Strategic Landscape: New business owners must navigate a complex environment filled with opportunities and threats.
Investment Readiness: Investors evaluate nine areas to gauge a startup’s potential, starting with founder readiness.
De-risking Strategies: Testing assumptions and iterating on the vision helps reduce uncertainty and improve alignment with market demands.
By engaging their teams in this process, founders can transform uncertainty into actionable insights.
Case Example: Testing Vision in Action
Take, for example, a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) startup we worked with. The founder had a compelling vision for addressing workplace inequities but struggled with aligning the team and clarifying the target market. Through a strategic leadership tool, we guided the team to test assumptions about their audience and refine their approach.
The result? Improved team dynamics, a sharper focus on customer needs, and a business model primed for scalability and funding. This process not only de-risked the venture but also empowered the team to move forward with confidence.
Practical Tips for Founders
Want to apply Principle 7 to your leadership practice? Here’s how to get started:
Empower Your Team: Create a culture where team members feel safe challenging assumptions and providing honest feedback.
Engage in Iteration: Use tools like business model canvases or customer feedback loops to refine your vision and pivot when necessary.
Focus on Investment Readiness: Assess the nine areas discussed in Chapter 6 to ensure your venture meets investor expectations.
Ask yourself: What’s one assumption about your vision that you could test this week?
Connecting to Vision360 Leadership Coaching
At Teaiiano Leadership Solutions, we specialize in helping founders and teams turn visionary ideas into actionable strategies. Our workshops and coaching sessions empower startups to de-risk their ventures by:
Refining and testing their vision.
Aligning team efforts with strategic goals.
Building resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Here’s how you can get started today:
Closing Reflection
The path of a founder is rarely linear. By testing assumptions and empowering your team, you can turn uncertainty into opportunity. Visionary leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions.
Are you ready to de-risk your startup and build a vision that inspires confidence?
Stay tuned for Principle 8 where we’ll explore the power of shared visioning.
Visionary Leadership: A Guidebook for 21st Century Organizations and Entrepreneurial Teams introduces the Vision360 Leadership model—a framework crafted to help leaders and teams transform vision into reality. At Teaiiano Leadership Solutions, we integrate these principles into every aspect of our coaching, consulting, and leadership development to empower you to anticipate change, innovate with confidence, and achieve lasting success. You can purchase your copy of the book here to dive deeper into these transformative strategies, or explore more insights and resources at our home base: www.teaiiano.com.
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