The Founder's Journey (The Inner Work of Building a Startup)

From PhD psychologist and coach to Silicon Valley founders, a guide to managing the psychological challenges of the entrepreneurial journey so founders can combat burnout, find personal fulfillment, and increase the likelihood of success for their companies.

To date, most books about building a startup tackle “outer world” challenges like finding product-market fit, building company culture, management best practices, and other practical matters. However, the hardship of startup life isn’t constrained to the logistics of building the company itself. In fact, the entrepreneur’s “inner world” may present the greatest challenges to successfully launching and growing a profitable company.

Using the framework of the hero’s journey, Dr. Keegan Walden shows you how to manage the complex emotions that arise during the entrepreneurial journey, so you can combat burnout, find greater success, and lead your startup more effectively. Specifically, you'll uncover your unqiue, deep-seeded fear of not-enoughness that too often sabotages your success, leadership, and effectiveness. You’ll learn:

- What fears drive the nine founder archetypes, and how each archetype can manage their specific fear of not being enough.

- Why the childhood adversity that drove you to great heights is likely preventing you from reaching your full potential—and actively sabotaging you.

- How to grapple with the rough edges of your ego, narcissism, and even psychopathy.

- When to recognize the ways in which you recreate your childhood dramas at the expense of your cofounders and teammates, and how to do the opposite.

The Founder’s Journey is a concise psychological handbook for founders that shows you how to grapple with your deepest fears to become a better leader, and ultimately, become the best version of yourself.