Talk to Users
Spend significant time understanding your users' problems and behaviors.
Explanation
Many founders build in isolation and guess what users want. Successful founders spend 40%+ of their time talking to users—not just getting feature requests, but understanding their lives, problems, and current solutions. This creates empathy and reveals opportunities that surveys and analytics miss.
Real-World Example
Airbnb founders lived with hosts to understand their experience. Stripe founders sat with developers during integration. Instagram founders hung out at cafes watching people use photo apps. Warby Parker founders interviewed hundreds of people about glasses-buying frustrations before launching.
How to Apply
Set a goal: talk to 10 users per week minimum. Ask open-ended questions: 'Walk me through your day.' 'What's frustrating about [current solution]?' 'How do you currently solve this?' Don't pitch—just listen. Record insights, not just feature requests. Look for emotional reactions and workarounds—these reveal real problems.