The wrongness of relativism

Founder takeaway

Use other startups as context, not as your scorecard. Judge progress against your own customers, goals, constraints, and prior performance.

Why it matters

Peer comparisons can redirect attention toward someone else’s market, resources, or definition of success. A company-specific frame helps founders make clearer choices and invest scarce resources where they matter most.

Relevant guides

Put it to work

Choose one decision currently influenced by a competitor or peer. Ask: “If I had no visibility into what other startups were doing, what would our customer evidence and goals tell us to do?”