The role of the Founder shifts from "Architect" (building the structure) to "Gardener" (tending the ecosystem). In an AI-native firm, the system grows on its own (via data loops and learning); your job is to Prune (remove bad agents/processes) and Fertilize (add better data/prompts).
What is the Gardener Mindset?
The Gardener Mindset is a management philosophy where you accept that you cannot control every leaf (outcome) of a complex adaptive system. Instead, you manage the Conditions (quality of data, clarity of rules) to ensure healthy growth.
Mechanic vs. Gardener
The Mechanic (Old)
Treats business as a machine. Fixes broken parts. Believes the system is static unless touched.
The Gardener (New)
Treats business as an organism. Feeds it. Believes the system is alive and will evolve (or mutate) on its own.
Short Answer
You don't "build" an AI system once; you "grow" it. The prompt that worked yesterday might stop working tomorrow. The market changes. The model updates. Your job is constant, gentle course correction.