In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter explore the vital importance of maintaining a startup's foundational 'why' – the core reason for its existence. They discuss the excitement and clarity that founders experience in the early stages, the operational challenges that can cause them to lose sight of their mission over time, and practical strategies for rekindling that original passion. Through personal anecdotes and examples of companies like Apple and Google, the hosts underscore how minor compromises can erode a company's core mission. They emphasize the need for founders to continuously revisit and reinforce their original motivations to ensure sustained passion and purpose. Listeners will gain insights on recognizing when they've deviated from their vision, the benefits of realigning with the 'why', and actionable steps to recenter their focus, all while maintaining clarity and engagement within their teams.

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What to listen for
00:29 The Importance of 'Why' in Startups
03:17 Losing Sight of the 'Why'
05:24 Diagnosing the Loss of 'Why'
09:21 The Impact of Compromises
15:56 Tiny Compromises Lead to Major Changes
18:48 The Slippery Slope of Compromises
19:50 Losing Sight of the 'Why'
20:50 Rediscovering the Purpose
22:12 The Importance of Remembering the 'Why'
24:30 Practical Steps to Reconnect with the 'Why'
30:55 Identifying and Correcting Misalignments
35:36 The Constant Battle to Maintain the 'Why'