The 4 Biggest Execution Mistakes Founders Make

The 4 Biggest Execution Mistakes Founders Make

Author: Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad October 20, 2025 Duration: 43:01

Think you’re executing well? Think again. Chances are you’re making one of these four common mistakes.


Drawing from Chris’s latest essay and real-world advisory experience, Chris and Yaniv spend this episode breaking down the four biggest execution mistakes you're probably making right now. They explore how to recognize these patterns early, how to apply taste and judgment when scaling, and how to develop the discipline needed to execute with precision.



In this episode, you will:

  • Identify when you’re oversimplifying, and mistaking nuanced, unique use cases for the same problem
  • Understand how overcomplicating your product or process can destroy focus and momentum
  • Learn to categorize problems correctly using the principle of mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive thinking
  • Apply the concept of “necessary and sufficient” work — doing everything that’s needed and nothing that’s not
  • Recognize that mistiming priorities ends in attempting to do everything at once, but finishing nothing
  • Develop the taste, judgment, and rigor to strike the perfect balance between simplicity and depth
  • Avoid falling into domain dogma; naming, structuring, and communicating ideas clearly for your team and customers



Read Chris’s original LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/chrissaad_the-big-4-execution-mistakes-youre-probably-activity-7379681603847049216-ApcV



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Key links

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The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  


Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  

Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/



For founders tired of abstract theory and looking for the concrete mechanics of building a high-growth company, The Startup Podcast offers a direct line to actionable knowledge. Hosts Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad bypass the usual interview format to deliver focused masterclasses and tactical advice drawn from their own decades in the trenches. Each episode digs into a specific challenge, whether it's navigating the nuances of raising Venture Capital, refining product strategy, or engineering sustainable growth. This isn't about general inspiration; it's a practical guide to adopting the distinct mindset and operational approaches that fuel Silicon Valley-style disruption. Listeners will find a clear roadmap covering the essential pillars: strategy, marketing, product development, and beyond. By consistently translating complex concepts into executable steps, this podcast serves as a vital resource for entrepreneurs determined to move beyond idea and into execution. Bernstein and Saad's combined experience provides a trusted foundation, making each session feel like a focused workshop aimed at building something that truly changes the game.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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