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CEO Paralysis: the Microscope and the Telescope

by 24 Comments

telescope

nurse with microscope

Check out this tweet from @exectweets (I believe originally from Tom Stewart):

CEO paralysis caused by trying to look simultaneously through a microscope at every cost & a telescope at the future

It was too long to re-tweet effectively without having to edit it, so I decided to write a blog post instead.

To say what exactly? Simple this:

Hell ya. So, so, so, so true.

Between the telescope and the microscope which wins?

I’ve been told a few times, “The role of CEO is to keep the lights on.” That puts us squarely in the world of microscopes. But on the flip side — is a business with its lights on but no potential for massive scale really worth keeping around? A lot of businesses get to survivability but struggle to go beyond that. And oftentimes going beyond simple survivability (which in and of itself isn’t really “simple”) means gut-checks, innovation, tough ass decisions and brain power. That throws us back into the world of telescopes.

What are you looking through right now? A microscope or a telescope? Or both? Are you paralyzed?

Filed Under: Startups

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  • Odd, I thought you meant the other type of CEO 🙂

  • Ben –

    This is a bit of a false alternative. You need to look through both, but the mix of time you dedicate to any one varies depending on the stage of company. In the beginning, a microscope is more useful, I'd suggest, to ensure you are moving forward with enough cash in the bank to reach the target your telescope is laser focused on.

    As you grow, open the aperture, let more in, and tackle more! Some of the day to day keeping of lights on falls to others. To quote Adam Smith, as the extent of the market grows, so does the division of labour. The CEO can spend more time stargazing and driving the company to become world-class.

    My 2c,

    Bryan

  • Ben –

    This is a bit of a false alternative. You need to look through both, but the mix of time you dedicate to any one varies depending on the stage of company. In the beginning, a microscope is more useful, I'd suggest, to ensure you are moving forward with enough cash in the bank to reach the target your telescope is laser focused on.

    As you grow, open the aperture, let more in, and tackle more! Some of the day to day keeping of lights on falls to others. To quote Adam Smith, as the extent of the market grows, so does the division of labour. The CEO can spend more time stargazing and driving the company to become world-class.

    My 2c,

    Bryan

  • Ben –

    This is a bit of a false alternative. You need to look through both, but the mix of time you dedicate to any one varies depending on the stage of company. In the beginning, a microscope is more useful, I'd suggest, to ensure you are moving forward with enough cash in the bank to reach the target your telescope is laser focused on.

    As you grow, open the aperture, let more in, and tackle more! Some of the day to day keeping of lights on falls to others. To quote Adam Smith, as the extent of the market grows, so does the division of labour. The CEO can spend more time stargazing and driving the company to become world-class.

    My 2c,

    Bryan

  • Bryan – I agree it is a false alternative, I don't think you can look through either exclusively, but it helps to create discussion. *smile*

    I do think the original tweet is 100% correct – CEO Paralysis can be caused by looking through both simultaneously and getting “stuck.”

  • Bryan – I agree it is a false alternative, I don't think you can look through either exclusively, but it helps to create discussion. *smile*

    I do think the original tweet is 100% correct – CEO Paralysis can be caused by looking through both simultaneously and getting “stuck.”

  • Bryan – I agree it is a false alternative, I don't think you can look through either exclusively, but it helps to create discussion. *smile*

    I do think the original tweet is 100% correct – CEO Paralysis can be caused by looking through both simultaneously and getting “stuck.”

  • Yes. Absolutely!

  • Yes. Absolutely!

  • Yes. Absolutely!

  • I agree. However, false alternative is better than nothing.

  • I agree. However, false alternative is better than nothing.

  • I agree. However, false alternative is better than nothing.

  • The CEO have to play both role. A microscope and a telescope.

  • I would like a microscope, to be onest.

  • Thank you for sharing

  • Thanks

  • i m completely agreed with you …. and thanks for info your blog is nice

  • I totally agree. Some CEOs spend to much time focusing on certain aspects of the business, and not enough time on others. I think at some point they become blinded and can't tell if the business is a success.

  • I agree with everything you say. Nice post here. 🙂

  • So true, it's hard to keep your mind on the future when the present is so all consuming, probably one of the biggest challenges of running a business, and one of the most important ones to find the correct balance for…

  • dont know what you mean ?

  • tough ass decisions and brain power. That throws us back into the world of telescopes.

    http://www.instigatorblog.com/ceo-paralysis-mic…

  • gokhanht

Ben Yoskovitz

Founding Partner at Highline BETA, a startup co-creation company that launches new ventures with leading corporations and founders.

Previously I was VP Product at VarageSale and GoInstant (acq. $CRM), and Founding Partner at Year One Labs.

Angel investments include: Breather, Spoiler Alert, SendWithUs and others.

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