Founders must hide their fear while financiers flex vulnerability
katieruthmishra · x · 2026-11-06
The author shares that a talented, well-connected friend about to found a company called her in tears, terrified of failing and disappointing everyone who believes in her — and convinced she can't voice those fears without losing that belief.
She draws a sharp cultural asymmetry in tech: financiers can wave the power-law bible, declare a write-off to zero, and be celebrated as risk-takers, while founders are crucified for even the smallest misstep and forced to protect the purity of their certainty. A candid take on founder psychology and risk culture.
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