Tim He’s Secret to Co-Founder Success: Helping Each Other Thrive
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Devin: What is your superpower?
Tim: I’ve always been able to see the sort of hidden potential in those around me, whether it’s my friends, my students when I was teaching, the co-founders that I work with–a lot of times I see it before they even see it themselves.
On today’s episode of Superpowers for Good, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tim He, the founder and CEO of Cherrytree. Tim is dedicated to solving one of the most common problems faced by startups: co-founder conflict. He revealed a startling statistic—about two-thirds of startups fail due to co-founder issues. Recognizing this, Tim’s work with Cherrytree focuses on helping co-founders build strong, lasting Relationships.
The key to a successful co-founder relationship, Tim explains, is a principle we can all relate to: helping each other thrive. “You become a better co-founder when you help your co-founder succeed,” Tim shared during our conversation. This mindset echoes the dynamics of a healthy marriage, where mutual support and shared success are vital. Tim’s analogy to parenting also struck a chord, illustrating how fostering your co-founder’s Growth can improve the partnership and the business as a whole.
Cherrytree offers resources like a twice-weekly newsletter, one-on-one Coaching, and cohort classes, providing entrepreneurs with practical tools to improve their co-founder relationships. Tim’s focus on awareness and teamwork helps founders not just survive but succeed together.
Cherrytree isn’t just a resource for co-founders; it’s a community. Entrepreneurs are learning to navigate the challenges of running a business alongside a partner, turning potential points of conflict into opportunities for growth. If you’re looking for guidance on how to build stronger co-founder relationships, Tim’s work at Cherrytree could be the solution you need.
tl;dr:
Co-Founder Issues: Tim highlights that about 65% of startups fail due to co-founder conflicts, emphasizing the need for early awareness and proactive relationship management.
The Power of Partnerships: He stresses the importance of having a co-founder, not only for skill-sharing but also for emotional support, which can be key to a startup’s success.
Building Strong Co-Founderships: Tim explains that the secret to a successful co-foundership lies in self-awareness and mutual support, similar to a healthy marriage where both parties work together to help each other succeed.
Practice and Patience: Drawing from his sports background, Tim uses the analogy of mastering a skill, noting that experienced co-founders have honed their partnership over countless hours of hard work, not just luck.
Cherrytree’s Resources: Cherrytree, Tim’s platform, provides a range of tools, including a newsletter, coaching, and cohort classes aimed at helping co-founders develop stronger relationships and succeed in business.
How to Develop Seeing Potential As a Superpower
Tim He’s superpower is his unique ability to see the hidden potential in others, even when they may not see it themselves. Whether working with co-founders, friends, or students, Tim’s gift is helping people recognize and develop their strengths. This superpower is at the core of his work at Cherrytree, where he supports co-founders in nurturing stronger partnerships and becoming better versions of themselves.
Tim shared a powerful story from his teenage years. At the end-of-year ceremony in high school, while all his friends won awards, Tim didn’t receive any. Though initially disappointed, he later realized that he had contributed to his friends’ success by helping them in areas like history and physical Education. This mental shift allowed him to celebrate their recognition rather than be jealous of it. This experience taught Tim that his role in unlocking the potential of others was more valuable than winning an award himself—a realization that shaped his future approach to leadership and mentorship.
Tips for Developing the Superpower:
Be Humble: Focus less on yourself and more on elevating those around you. Tim emphasizes that humility doesn’t mean thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.
Create Space for Growth: Provide an environment that allows others to explore their abilities. Sometimes, people need support and space to grow rather than constant input.
Recognize Potential: Learn to see beyond the surface and recognize the talents and strengths that others may not immediately identify in themselves.
Offer Support: Help others achieve their goals by guiding and mentoring them, as Tim does with co-founders through Cherrytree.
By following Tim’s example and advice, you can make seeing potential a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Tim He (he/him):
Founder & CEO, Cherrytree
About Cherrytree: 65% of startups are killed by co-founder conflicts. Cherrytree helps you beat the odds. As you might know, without a strong cofoundership, your company is doomed by default. With one, you have a fighting chance. Cherrytree offers a free 2x/week newsletter with stories and insights from dorm-room founders to unicorns and everyone in between. We also have a 1:1 coaching aspect for more engaged and hands-on support.
Website: cherrytree.app
Biographical Information: Tim He cheated his way through high school, attended the only university he was accepted by and almost failed out. He was rejected by nearly every company he ever applied to. Many of his entrepreneurial ventures fizzled out. Since then, he has started several companies, advises a range of teams from dynamic duos to global giants, and delivers lectures at prestigious universities.
His cofounder journey taught him the good, the bad, and the ugly. Now, his mission is to help cofounders around the world work better together and ultimately become better cofounders themselves.
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/timhe2000/
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