I recently came across this image I took of a fossil at the Google campus years ago and thought it’s the perfect match for this post.
A quiet reminder that in fast-moving environments – whether tech, corporate, or founder life – staying proactive as a founder isn’t just helpful, it’s what keeps you evolving.
And even though I’ve always considered myself someone who thinks ahead, I recently had another moment that reminded me how different proactivity becomes once you run your own business.
Being proactive isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a core skill.
You’re constantly operating in two timelines:
The one you’re working in today, and the one you need to shape for tomorrow.
Nothing dramatic happened.
Nothing stressful.
Just a realization that this skill – thinking ahead, preparing options, keeping momentum – matters more than ever.
A familiar skill … used in a new way
I was lucky to learn proactive thinking early in my career, surrounded by strong managers and mentors, especially during my time at dentsu, L’Oréal and later EnBW.
They taught me to:
- Anticipate instead of react
- Look beyond the quarter
- Prepare before it becomes urgent
- Create momentum intentionally
Those lessons shaped how I work to this day.
But as a founder, this skill shifts.
It stops being an advantage and becomes something else:
Proactivity becomes stability.
Proactivity becomes strategy.
Proactivity becomes calm.
It’s not about being busy, it’s about staying ready.
Why proactivity matters so much in founder life
1. Opportunities grow slowly, then suddenly
A good conversation today might turn into something months later. Sometimes earlier, sometimes later, but rarely instantly.
2. Trust builds before the project does
Especially in consulting and interim roles. People work with people they trust, not just CVs.
3. Momentum replaces structure
You don’t inherit processes or planning cycles. You create your own rhythm and protecting that rhythm matters.
4. Proactivity reduces uncertainty
The more you explore early, the less you stress later.
None of this feels urgent.
All of it feels grounding.
What tends to surprise people in large organizations…
When I meet friends and former colleagues from corporate environments, they often expect founder life to be more “free-flowing”, “spontaneous” but most of all “super uncertain”
But what surprises them most is:
- Uncertainty is normal, not a signal something’s wrong
- You stay in conversation even when you’re fully committed
- Opportunities are relationship-driven, only partly process-driven
- Planning early creates calm, it’s not about fear
- You design your structure instead of inheriting one
The system is simply different, more fluid, more personal, and more dependent on trust and timing. That’s what “proactive as a founder” really means.
How I try to stay proactive (still evolving)
I’m still early in my founder journey, so my approach is simple and very human.
1. Staying connected with interim recruiters
Players like Hays, Amadeus Fire and others are important sparring partners. It helps to know each other well before there’s an opportunity.
2. Investing in relationships consistently
Reaching out to my network regularly, not because I need something, but because relationships matter long before you activate them.
3. Keeping my network warm throughout the year
A short message, a voice note, a spontaneous coffee.
4. Staying visible in a way that feels authentic
Through writing, reflection, and sharing perspectives, not promotion.
Proactivity doesn’t need to feel loud or demanding.
It can feel light.
Micro-Practices that make proactivity feel easy
Here are a few things that help me keep momentum without turning it into a task list:
10 minutes each week to review my conversations
Who did I talk to?
Whom would I like to reconnect with?
Capture potential opportunities instantly
A name mentioned in a meeting.
A conversation that sparked something.
Write it down, future you will thank you.
One intentional conversation per week
Not sales.
Just connection.
A monthly self-check on workload, energy, and direction
It helps me understand my own cycles.
Small habits create clarity.
And clarity creates calm.
Proactivity creates space
For me, being proactive as a founder is not about being busy and not about predicting the future.
It’s about creating space…
… space to focus on work,
… space to build relationships,
… space to enjoy the present without worrying about the next step.
Even though I’m still early in my founder journey, I see how powerful this mindset is. And how much of it comes from the things I learned long before starting my own business.
And if your 2026 planning is already starting (proactivity club, welcome!)… I’m always happy to talk. 😉
More about my work: Linelia’s services
For anything else, just drop me a note via my contact page or connect with me on LinkedIn. Always up for a chat.
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