Let’s take a minute to notice the elephant in the room.

Last week I wrote about startups being just like “Pirate ships”.

It has been brought to my attention that a lot of people felt offended by it, since they read out things that I have never intended to say. Thus, sorry if it offends someone again, but I stand by my words. Although, I feel that I still need to explain myself.

As I wrote, I truly believe that the only position that matters is “the CEO”, and everyone else can call themselves whatever they like. Such as I refer to myself as “the Hustler”.

This does not mean that the only person that matters is the CEO. But that (s)he is the only one the public looks at if things were to screw up. Meaning (s)he has taken the biggest burden, while also has the biggest say in towards where the ship is moving. If there would not be the perk, then why would any sane person even think about taking up the role?

Of course, (s)he is not there to act solely on his and only his thoughts. First, (s)he is ought to help shareholders increase the value of their piece of the pie. Second, there is usually a board or some bigger investors that are doing everything in their power to see that (s)he would keep on doing right by the company. And third, there is the crew that would stop working the moment (s)he would stop focusing on the vision that brought them on board.

Which brings me to one of the things people misunderstood.

I do not believe in the “hierarchical organisation”. I never have. And never will. Especially as I firmly believe that no one in the whole world should be paid only for managing others. Everyone has to be on the wall, willing to take an arrow! And the leaders need to be the first ones that do.

At the same time, I also believe that the “flat organisation” is pure bollocks. Since people want… need to be lead. Not managed. But lead be those that do more than they do, showing them the way how to go further. Leader of sales needs to sell the most. Leader of marketing needs to market the most. Leader of engineers needs to engineer the most. And so on. Only those that have made their feet wet can make others follow.

Of course, there is the point about Ford and gathering the best and the brightest around you. And that is absolutely correct! Thus if you are not the best in marketing, then it is time to bring on board someone who is and let this person take the lead. And either follow. Or find yourself a better suitable role where you can lead. As it is never about the role and always who can do the best work in whatever position they are at.

All in all, I am willing to fight for the belief that the CEO is the only one showing the way where the whole company is going towards, while the shareholders, the board and the crew are there helping to realise the DREAM of all of them.

AND NO, the CEO does not have to know everything there is to know about what it takes to get there.

Otherwise why would (s)he need the crew and other mentors? (S)He only has three main responsibilities:

Have the VISION of where the ship is going and do all he can to make everyone understand and believe it, so they would rip their ass off to reach there.

Put together the initial CREW of people that have the capability to pull this thing together AND help them pull their shit together when it is the hardest. Not by always knowing how they feel. But by showing them that even at its worst, life goes on.

Keep an eye on the finances so that the ship would have everything it needs carry on. Either by selling more, bringing on more investors or robbing the bank. And it is not that (s)he would have to do it alone. (S)he just needs to assure it gets done, using whatever means there are.

Once those three things are done then (s)he needs to stick to whatever (s)he is the best at. Building the product. Bringing on new customers. Seeing that everything runs smoothly. Spreading the word about the venture. Or whatever else it is. Perhaps just smiling if that helps everyone the most.

If only my dog could get the first three things done, he would make the best smiling CEO…

And what about people that say there is more to it?

Perhaps there is. Or could be. But that is not what matters. What matters is that the ship would go on. And when you do not like where it is going, how things are being run or how big is your stake, then either change it or leave. But if it takes longer than a week to solve, then stop wasting other people’s time and stick to your strengths.