Lost in Translation? Why Every Founder Should Write Their Own User Manual
Envision for a moment you’re about to embark on a long road trip with your co-founder. How helpful would it be to have an owner’s manual explaining their quirks - what makes them tick, pet peeves to avoid, how they like communicating?
Having this guidebook would set you both up for smoother travels together. Now imagine if every founder wrote their own “user manual” to share with their co-founders and team. How much misunderstanding and frustration could that head off?
In this post, we’ll make the case for startup founders crafting personal user manuals - outlining your work style, values, motivations and quirks. We’ll explore how this can foster aligned expectations and effective working relationships critical to success.
The Case for Writing Your Own User Manual
As founders, we provide extensive product documentation - user guides, specs, FAQs, release notes. But we often neglect to document ourselves.
Yet our co-founders and team must understand their primary “product” - you, the founder - to excel and avoid conflicts. A user manual fills this gap.
By explaining your preferred work style, pet peeves, motivations, strengths, weaknesses and work philosophies upfront, you set clear expectations. This gives co-founders crucial insights on how best to work with you.
A well-crafted manual helps you:
- Establish aligned vision and values with co-founders
- Explain your leadership style and preferences proactively
- Share what energizes and stresses you
- Highlight pet peeves that push your buttons
- Suggest optimal communication styles to reach you
It provides a reference point to resolve conflicts once your startup is up and running. This accelerates trust-building between co-founders, establishing rapport.
Crafting Your Founder User Manual
When drafting your manual, be candid and comprehensive. The more thoughtful details you share, the more value it provides.
Include sections like:
- Core values - What principles deeply matter to you?
- Workstyle - Your energy cycle, productive hours, remote preferences
- Strengths - What abilities do you bring to the table?
- Working pet peeves - What presses your buttons?
- Motivations - What makes the hard work worthwhile?
- Communication style - Best mediums and cadences for collaboration
- Leadership approach - Your philosophy on culture, autonomy, transparency
- Quirks - Any oddities or personal tidbits to be aware of
Periodically update your manual as you evolve. Treat it as a living document.
Setting Your Startup Up for Success
A user manual alone can’t guarantee a friction-free partnership - but it establishes shared understanding. This makes navigating the inevitable bumps in alignment easier.
Give your co-founder the gift of insight into what makes you tick. Help them appreciate your viewpoint and context for decisions.
So take the time to write your own “instruction manual” before embarking on the wild startup ride together. You’ll both be better equipped to optimize this vital relationship and avoid potential pitfalls. Your startup’s success depends on effective co-founder collaboration from the start.
Want to read more on topics like this? Check out:
How to Capture Your Startup's Origin Story
Five Ways to Find an Effective Business Partner
19th October 2023