There's a fundamental gap between those building from scratch and those hired to run the show. A founder carries the weight—every decision shapes their baby's future. They're thinking five years ahead, ready to pivot on a dime when the market demands it. That's skin in the game.

Professional managers? They optimize existing systems. They follow playbooks, hit quarterly targets, and play it safe. Nothing wrong with that—stability matters. But they're playing someone else's game.

In crypto especially, you see this play out constantly. Founders willing to experiment with unconventional tokenomics or governance models that scare institutional types. They take calculated risks because it's their reputation on the line. Managers protect what's already there.

Both have their place. But when you're betting on a project's survival in a ruthless market, ask yourself: who's more committed to winning when there's no safety net?