Why Founders Should Ask 'What Will Go Wrong?' — Before Asking 'How Will It Work?'

Introduction

Entrepreneurs are inherently optimistic. They’re the dreamers, the doers, the ones who see opportunity where others see obstacles. But in the race to bring an idea to life, many founders fall into a dangerous trap: asking “How will it work?” before asking “What will go wrong?”

While optimism drives innovation, realism ensures survival. By flipping the question and starting with a failure-first mindset, founders can better prepare their business for long-term success.

The Danger of Blind Optimism

When founders focus solely on how their idea will work:

• They overestimate demand.