Field Notes
Plain notes on teams that stall, decisions that wait, deals that need clearer terms, and what founder dependence costs. Written from real client work.
What Actually Holds a Project Together
Most projects don't fall apart because people are bad at their jobs. Tracking tasks keeps the pace, but keeping specialists aimed at the same target is a different job.
The Stagnation Tax: Decisions That Wait Cost More Than Wrong Decisions
Most companies don't die from one big mistake. They lose money slowly: teams that aren't aligned, endless reviews, and founders who are the person every decision waits for.
Why "Take Ownership" Fails: It Is Usually Missing Limits, Not Bad People
Leaders spend thousands on management training, yet capable team leads still bring every routine question to the founder. When nobody has said how far they can go, deciding alone is risky and asking is free.
Why Strategy Slides Don't Help on a Tuesday Afternoon
A strategy that only exists in a presentation is a wish list. A working strategy uses the same logic at every level, down to the person deciding what not to do today.
Four Stages of Getting to Clarity
From a version that feels right, through the discomfort of the full picture, to a short version and a position you can defend.
Test It Until It Breaks, Before Reality Does
On a construction site you don't test a steel beam by painting it. You load it until you find where it breaks. In agreements, looking for the weak points early is a form of respect.