Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, knows a thing or two about taking a company from zero to global phenomenon. Airbnb started as a simple idea—renting out air mattresses to make rent—but it grew into a multi-billion-dollar platform that transformed the travel industry. Chesky’s success wasn’t just about business acumen or timing. It was about embracing what only founders can bring to the table.
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Photo: Michael Lewis
According to Chesky, founders have three unique advantages: deep passion, the permission to act, and an instinctual understanding of their company’s DNA. These traits can’t be replicated by professional managers, no matter how experienced they are. Let’s explore these qualities and how they set founders apart in building—and rebuilding—companies.
The Passion of a Founder: It’s Personal
“The first thing a founder has—they’re the biological parent,” Chesky explains. Think about it: founders give life to their companies. They see them through every messy stage of growth, from birth to maturity. This connection breeds an unparalleled passion that fuels resilience in the toughest times.
Take Steve Jobs, for example. When Jobs was ousted from Apple in 1985, the company floundered without his visionary leadership. When he returned in 1997, his passion for Apple wasn’t just about business—it was personal. He took on the challenge of transforming the company he had built from the ground up, launching products like the iMac, iPod, and iPhone that revolutionized the tech industry.
Founders don’t see their companies as just assets or brands. They see them as extensions of themselves. That’s why they’ll fight tooth and nail for their survival and success.
Founders Have Permission: The Freedom to Change Everything
Chesky’s second point: founders have the freedom to make bold moves. Because they know their company’s origins and vision, they can make sweeping changes without hesitation. A professional manager may hesitate or seek approval, but a founder knows exactly what to change and why.
Take Airbnb itself. In the early days, Chesky and his co-founders made countless pivots. When the original idea didn’t gain traction, they didn’t wait for a board meeting to brainstorm solutions. They took matters into their own hands, even creating cereal boxes to promote their business during the 2008 presidential election. The marketing stunt wasn’t conventional, but it worked—and it kept Airbnb alive long enough to find its breakthrough.
This freedom to experiment, rebrand, or pivot on a dime is a superpower for founders. They aren’t confined by rigid playbooks or corporate hierarchies. They act decisively and creatively to shape their companies’ futures.
Founders Know the Blueprint: They Built It, So They Can Rebuild It
The third quality Chesky highlights is perhaps the most critical: founders understand every detail of their company’s DNA. They know the “freezing temperature” and the “melting point.” They remember what it took to get the business off the ground—and if things fall apart, they know how to rebuild it.
Consider Howard Schultz and Starbucks. Schultz didn’t found Starbucks, but he was the visionary who turned it into a global coffee empire. When the company hit a rough patch in the late 2000s, Schultz returned as CEO and went back to basics. He closed stores, revamped operations, and refocused on the core product—great coffee. Because Schultz knew Starbucks inside and out, he was able to bring it back from the brink.
Founders have this same deep knowledge. They remember every decision, every tweak, every early failure. And this knowledge gives them the confidence and clarity to rebuild when the going gets tough.
Why Founders’ Traits Matter in Every Stage of Growth
Chesky’s insights aren’t just philosophical musings—they’re practical advice for every entrepreneur. If you’re a founder, embracing these three traits can be the difference between success and stagnation:
1. Channel Your Passion
Remember why you started your company in the first place. Let that passion guide your decisions, especially during difficult times. When you’re connected to your company on a deep level, you’ll push through obstacles that would stop others.
2. Take Bold Actions
Don’t be afraid to pivot, experiment, or take risks. As the founder, you have the authority and intuition to make big moves. Use it. Sometimes the boldest decisions are the ones that drive the most growth.
3. Trust Your Instincts
You know your company’s DNA better than anyone. Trust your instincts when things need to change—or when they need to stay the same. Your experience in building the company from scratch gives you an edge that no outsider can match.
Final Takeaway: Founders Are Builders First
Brian Chesky’s story is a testament to the power of founders’ unique traits. Airbnb didn’t succeed because of a perfect plan—it succeeded because its founders were passionate, bold, and deeply connected to their company’s origins.
So if you’re a founder, embrace these traits. Your passion, permission, and knowledge are your greatest assets. Use them to build something extraordinary—and if you ever need to, use them to rebuild, too. Because the company you build is more than a business—it’s a part of you.
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