We’ve all heard entrepreneurs say — “This business is my baby.” It’s natural to get emotionally attached to something you’ve built from scratch. You’ve nurtured it, sacrificed for it and poured your heart into it.
But here’s the hard truth: Businesses aren’t meant to be protected. They’re meant to evolve, grow and sometimes outgrow you.
When you cling too tightly— You resist feedback. You fear change. You micromanage decisions. You take every failure personally.
And that’s when you become the bottleneck, not the builder.
Some of the best entrepreneurs I know scaled up only when they stopped babysitting their business and started leading it like a CEO.
1-1-1 Breakdown: Detach to Grow Edition
Ask yourself: Are you holding on too tight? Are you rejecting ideas, new people, or tough decisions because they threaten the way you’ve always done things?
→ Remember: Businesses don’t need parents—they need leaders.
Look at one task, process, or decision you’ve been micromanaging. Hand it over to someone you trust.
Let your business breathe.
→ Do this now: Identify one area where you need to step back so your business can step forward.
75% of startups that fail do so because of founder-related reasons—either burnout, control issues, or unwillingness to adapt. (Source: CB Insights)
🚀 Your Next Big Leap (NBL): From Founder to Leader
Your next big leap will not come from doing everything yourself. It will come when you start letting go, building systems, empowering people, and focusing on the bigger picture.
You can’t scale what you refuse to share.
Stop babysitting. Start building.
Thanks for Reading!
Hey! I’m Alkesh Agarwal.
An entrepreneur and investor who believes that as we dive into 2025, let’s take bold leaps, embrace growth, and focus on what truly matters – Health, Happiness, and meaningful progress. Here’s to making every step of the journey count!
Read: “The E-Myth Revisited“ by Michael E. Gerber — A must-read on why entrepreneurs need to work ON their business, not IN it.
Watch: “The Founder’s Trap” — A short video on how emotional attachment limits business growth.
Try This Tool: Asana — For delegation and team accountability so you can stop micromanaging and start leading.
