You’re so right, Guarav—this whole thread is full of hard-earned truths. Point #4 really hit home for me. Founders carry so much weight, and while asking for help is smart, many don’t realize that support can come from inside the business too.
This is where a strong People Ops partner makes all the difference. I’ve worked closely with founders at fintech and SaaS startups during high-growth, high-stress moments—scaling teams 3x, navigating M&A, or shifting to fully remote models. And what I’ve seen is that when People Ops is embedded early, it’s not just about HR—it’s about creating clarity, aligning teams, and reducing the chaos that leads to burnout in the first place.
People Ops can drive structure around leadership enablement, performance expectations, culture, and communication—so the founder doesn’t have to hold all of that alone. We’re not just fixing problems when they explode—we’re designing systems that keep everyone, including the CEO, in a healthier, more sustainable rhythm.
Thanks for sharing this. It's a good reminder of how much intention it takes to protect both the mission and the people behind it- but also, give yourself grace. 🙂
