Polish the 5 year plan, choose the size of rounded corners, approach a VC, Make or Zapier? Big then small; micro then macro; big picture then zoom in… it’s tough, but exciting.

Anyone who’s served at sea will recognise this paradox straight away. On a ship, you’re expected to plan for the horizon while also making sure the deck doesn’t catch fire. Founders live in that same tension. One moment you’re talking about transforming an industry, the next you’re wondering if you can justify another software subscription this month. It’s leadership whiplash.

Vision is the easy part. Anyone can stand on the bridge, point dramatically, and shout about the future. But as I learned early in the Navy, pointing is not a strategy. Real leadership comes when the sea state turns and suddenly your big ideas have to survive contact with reality. It’s no different in startups. Vision is essential, but it’s also fragile. It needs the protection of discipline.

And that’s where ruthless practicality comes in. The kind where you cut your favourite feature because it slows the ship. The kind where you delay something you’re excited about because it doesn’t support the mission. Practicality isn’t glamorous, but it’s what stops you drifting off course and wondering why everything’s on fire behind you.

Great founders switch between these modes constantly. Vision when inspiring the team. Practicality when targeting the essentials. Vision when pitching the future. Practicality when staring at the bank balance and muttering “Steady as she goes”.

This paradox isn’t a flaw. It’s the job. In the Navy you learn that a captain must hold two truths at once: the chart in your hand, and the waves under your feet. Founders have the same burden.

“Dream big. Act small. Correct course often.” That’s how you keep the ship moving and the mission alive.

I very often switch from big picture “what are we building for our customers and why?” conversations with the team to logging onto the company banking app to make payments to the freelancers - it slows me down and I’m still working out how to properly compartmentalise my days… and automate better!

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