Founders, you are always sitting in the exit row

Take off your headphones and listen to this

If you’ve been seated in the exit row on a plane, you know that it can be quite comfortable. It’s nicer to have two windows and a bunch of additional leg room.

But it also comes with responsibilities, as the flight attendant will remind you before you take off.

It’s your responsibility to make sure the exit door gets opened in an emergency, and to help others get off the plane.

I mention this as a reminder of what you sign up for as a founder: A permanent seat in the exit row. All the glory and visibility tied to all of the responsibility. You’ve agreed to make sure that, when the time comes to sell the company, everyone on the team gets the best possible outcome.

It’s a serious responsibility which only gets harder when investors are on board. Arguably, you’re in the exit row for them, too.

What’s different about a startup’s version of the exit row is that, if you do it right, you’re highly likely to be called into service an behalf of your other passengers. Something that so rarely happens on a plane is likely to happen to you. And your team.

Be ready.