The CEO's Primary Role is to Delegate

The core function of a CEO is not to do all the work, but to build a system where the work gets done effectively by others. A key transition for any founder-CEO is to systematically "fire themselves" from every operational role they once held—sales, marketing, product development, customer support, etc.

The Process of Delegation:

1. Perform the Role: Initially, a founder does everything, gaining a deep understanding of each function.
2. Hire a Specialist: As the company grows, hire someone more capable for each specific role.
3. Delegate and Trust: Hand over the responsibility for that function entirely.
4. Move to a Higher Level: The CEO's focus then shifts from doing the work to managing the people who do the work, and eventually to managing the leaders of those people.

The CEO's True Responsibilities:

Once freed from day-to-day operations, the CEO can focus on the tasks that only they can do:

• Setting the overall vision and strategy.
• Building and nurturing the company culture.
• Allocating resources and capital.
• Hiring and managing the senior leadership team.
• Acting as the ultimate The CEO as Navigator and Obstacle Remover.

This process of delegation is essential for scaling a business. A CEO who remains stuck in the weeds becomes a bottleneck, hindering the company's growth.