If this title is confusing to you, let me explain. The second Kendrick Lamar hit the stage on Super Bowl Sunday, Google searches for his flared jeans skyrocketed 3,600%! Suddenly, everyone wanted a pair, until next week, when they’ll be onto the next thing.
Startups fall into the same trap. A founder hears about a new leadership style, compensation model, or operational shift, and suddenly, they have to implement it. But chasing trends doesn’t solve real problems, focusing on what actually matters does.
Startups live and die by focus. Yet, time and time again, I see founders getting distracted by the latest industry fads, implementing changes they don’t actually need, just because another company is doing it. This isn’t just a startup issue, it’s human nature. We love novelty, but novelty rarely equates to long-term success.
Let me tell you a story.
A startup leader once approached me for help evaluating their compensation strategy. They weren’t sure if they were attracting the best talent.
So I asked:
Are you getting enough candidates? Yes.
Are the candidates qualified? Yes.
Are the candidates you hire performing well? Yes.
I was confused. "What problem are you trying to solve?" I asked.
After a sigh, they responded, "Our founder just feels like some other companies in the space pay more and we may be losing out on candidates. So we want to hire an expert to confirm this."
I pressed further. "Do you do regular competitive compensation analysis and market comps?"
"Yes."
So I told them straight up: "You don’t need to hire me. You don’t have a problem."
This happens more often than you’d think. A founder reads an article, listens to a podcast, or sees a flashy VC-backed company making a move, and suddenly, they feel like they need to follow suit. But just because a big-name startup does something doesn’t mean it’s right for you.
In today’s startup world, everyone wants to be like OpenAI, Stripe, or whatever company just raised a billion dollars. But their challenges aren’t your challenges. If your business is already running smoothly, why waste precious time and resources chasing something unnecessary? Focus on what actually needs fixing. Stay disciplined. Because the startups that win aren’t the ones playing copycat, they’re the ones solving real problems.
How to Know If You're Solving a Real Problem or Just Following a Trend
Before jumping on the latest trend, take a step back and use this simple framework to check yourself:
Identify the Pain Point: What specific issue is causing friction in your business? If there isn’t one, please, just stop here.
Measure the Impact: How is this issue affecting operations, revenue, or team performance? If the answer is “it’s not,” you don’t have a real problem.
Assess Alternatives: Have you already optimized existing solutions? Throwing money at a new strategy won’t fix inefficiencies elsewhere.
Benchmark, Don’t Blindly Follow: Just because another startup is doing it doesn’t mean it’s the right move for you. Compare market trends but focus on what fits your business.
Prioritize What Matters: Every startup has limited time and resources. If this initiative won’t drive meaningful improvements, it’s just a distraction.
Stay Focused on What Matters
We’re in an era where everyone wants to be ahead of the curve, but real success comes from solving real problems, not chasing shiny objects.
The next time you’re tempted to jump on the latest trend, ask yourself: Am I fixing something broken, or am I just following the crowd?
Stay focused. Stay disciplined. And build something that actually lasts.
Over the past 12 years, Faye has dedicated herself to transforming high-growth companies through strategic performance management and operational excellence. With a portfolio spanning 250+ companies backed by renowned investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer, and Serena Ventures, Faye brings a wealth of experience in scaling and optimizing organizational effectiveness.
Now as CEO of Almeshaan Consulting, a leading performance management consultancy, Faye leverages her extensive expertise to help companies align their teams with strategic goals, implement robust performance management systems, and navigate complex growth phases with confidence and clarity.
Interested in chatting more about how to develop your team?
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