When we are afraid of something, we tighten control.
For example, this happens when, after a long break, I grapple with a new guy. The more explosive and chaotic he is, the harder I try to tie up his arms and legs to immobilize him.
Any playful creativity in the Flow disappears. Subconsciously, I focus only on survival, even though no real danger exists.
In the end, our “system” simply warms the cosmos with the heat of our bodies. We pull with equal force, but in opposite directions.
I fear his Chaos. He dreads my Control. Deadlock.
I see the same pattern in business when a founder:
cannot spend a single day on vacation without his laptop,
feels the urge to step into every detail,
complains the team isn't ready for delegation,
avoids raising the investment the business desperately needs,
acts as CSO, CMO, and CFO all at once,
makes decisions without checking with partners.
In the end, this “system” will also freeze. The team will fail to find breakthrough solutions. Competitors will steal the best clients. Shareholders’ money will vanish like fog.
Man, beast, or corporation—any body locked in stillness is doomed to become food for others. Nature favors motion, not stasis.
If you spot your own over-control, ask yourself: what exactly do you fear?
Sincerely yours,
-Alexander
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.
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