What are the 5 levels of entrepreneurial development?
Five levels of entrepreneurial development can be thought of as explorer, builder, leader, architect, and steward. These levels reflect how an entrepreneur's mindset and responsibilities change as the business grows.
The 5 levels:
Explorer: Testing ideas and opportunities with minimal structure.
Builder: Creating a viable business model and core team.
Leader: Guiding a growing organization and delegating key functions.
Architect: Designing systems, culture, and structures that scale.
Steward: Focusing on legacy, governance, and long-term resilience.
Entrepreneurs move through these levels by:
Letting go of tasks and identities that served them early but now limit the business.
Investing in their own development - coaching, peer groups, and reflective practices.
Kindred Consulting Group:
Works with founders as they transition from "builder" to "architect" and beyond - often the most critical and challenging leap.
Through Kindred Clarity, leaders gain insight into how their current style supports or constrains the next level of organizational growth.
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