Not a revenue wall. an enthusiasm wall.
The product that once consumed their every waking thought starts feeling like maintenance. The innovation that drove them becomes operational routine. they’re managing what exists instead of imagining what’s next.
I’ve seen this pattern in over 50 years of early-stage investments. The difference between companies that break through and those that plateau Can’t be just resources or market conditions.
It’s whether the founder remembers why they started.
Here are three things that reignite innovation fire:
[Email readers, continue here…] Brutal honesty about what’s boring you. If you dread certain meetings or decisions, you’ve drifted from your zone of genius. Delegate ruthlessly. Free yourself to think again.
Customer obsession, not customer service. Stop asking “are they satisfied?” and start asking “what problem are they trying to solve that we don’t even see yet?” The next breakthrough is hiding in their workarounds.
Small bets, not grand plans. Innovation dies in committee. Give one person permission to try something weird for 30 days with a tiny budget. Momentum beats perfection.
What’s the lesson here?
The companies that endure aren’t the ones that got it right the first time. They’re the ones whose leaders stayed curious long after everyone else got comfortable.
If your business feels like a routine, you’re not managing it wrong. You’re leading it wrong.
The best pivot isn’t in your product. It’s in your attention to innovation and your leadership enthusiasm.
