2Bobs—with David C. Baker and Blair Enns We Are All Closet Socialists
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Feb 11, 2026 A discussion about how entrepreneurial leaders often run agencies with central planning instincts that stifle market signals. They explore a fire-and-box metaphor for balancing freedom and boundaries. Practical principles are offered for setting culture, pushing decisions down, and hiring people who can be ignited and trusted.
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Control Urge Drives Central Planning
- Entrepreneurs often default to central planning because they are control-oriented and want to remove obstacles.
- The best firms, however, resist central planning and let signals like pricing guide decisions.
Owner As The Containing Force
- The owner's role is to design the container (the box) while employees provide the energy (the fire).
- Effective leadership adjusts the box's strength, permeability, and shape to channel team energy productively.
Build The Box, Not The Fire
- Set the firm's culture by defining rules of engagement for performance, transparency, and when to turn work down.
- Push decision-making as low as possible and focus your time on things only you can do.
