The "IKEA effect," described by Dan Ariely, shows how people overvalue things they've built themselves. That bookshelf you assembled? Worth gold to you, junk to others. For founders, this bias is everywhere. A feature isn't just code—it's late nights, lost weekends, and ego.
In my experience with founders, I see this very often. They over-invest emotionally in their companies, treating them as extensions of themselves. This makes it hard to pivot, update, or even keep up with competition. I've seen founders refuse to sell their ventures or demand inflated valuations because letting go feels like losing a piece of themselves.
That attachment clouds judgment. Feedback feels like an attack. A pivot feels like betrayal.
But your company is not you. A failed product isn't a failed person. Detach enough to see clearly. Love the work, but measure by results. Effort matters—but outcomes decide.
Another classic