The Phantom Limb of Founders

What Tien Tzuo taught me about instincts, leadership, and growth

Photo by Egor Yakushkin on Unsplash

When I sat down with Tien Tzuo, Founder and CEO of Zuora, one of the earliest executives at Salesforce, and the man who coined the phrase Subscription Economy, I knew this conversation was going to go deeper than business models. What I didn’t expect was how deeply it would affect me.

Tien spoke about a strange paradox that almost every founder—and really, every leader—faces: the instincts that propel you forward at the start are often the very ones that can pull you apart later. He called it the “phantom limb.”

Founders often try to run their companies as if they’re still in the early days. They still act like it’s a scrappy team of ten, even when it’s a complex organization of hundreds. They grip tightly to old instincts, to what once worked, even as the company evolves beyond them. And the more they tighten their grip, the faster things unravel.

That hit me like a punch. I could picture the moment vividly: a growing team, customers piling in, and the exhilaration of momentum. But underneath? The culture was fraying, communication was breaking down, and a creeping sense that something was off. My solution back then? Clamp down harder. Insert myself into every decision. Force progress.

And that… nearly broke everything.

What Paid Subscribers Receive

Before I tell you what turned it around, here’s what you’ll unlock as a paid subscriber to Passion Struck:

• Full, ad-free conversation with Tien Tzuo — every detail, every story, uncut.

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This is for those who want more than inspiration — who want to practice intentional growth in their own lives and leadership.