I hear you. This imbalance can feel unsettling, especially if it hasn’t always been there. It’s a common crossroads I see with clients – and it’s not wrong, you haven’t done anything wrong. It’s often just a build-up of unspoken expectations and things left unsaid.

Let’s explore some questions to understand the situation more deeply and leave you clearer on your next step:

Did you ever discuss what ‘success’ looks like?

When you started out, did you have a clear conversation about your shared vision? And have you continued to discuss and clarify how that’s changed as you’ve grown?

You say you want to “go big”, but what does that actually mean to you? Have you defined and articulated it to your Co-Founder? Think about how much you might be assuming here about each other’s vision and success metrics.

What’s driving your drive?

Why do you want to push harder right now? Is it coming from excitement and ambition, or fear and pressure? 

What’s the cost of pushing harder – for you, for them, and for the business?

Do you need the same drive?

It’s natural for drive to ebb and flow, we’re humans not machines. Life circumstances shift, motivation fluctuates, and that doesn’t necessarily mean your Co-Founder doesn’t have a ‘big’ vision overall. Ask yourself:

• Why do I need their drive to match mine right now?

• Could a big vision still be achieved if they’re committed and doing the work, even if their energy feels different to mine?

• Does going big require more effort and energy from both of us, or could it be about working smarter, rather than harder?

What assumptions are you making?

Are they actually against a big vision, or are they approaching it in a different way? Have you asked them how they feel about growth? Their approach might not equal lack of drive – it might just be a different style or pace.

I’d encourage you to get together with your Co-Founder. Let them know in advance you want to discuss where the business is heading and how you both feel about it, and take time to reflect and discuss the following:

• How motivated do we each feel about the business right now? And why?

• What drives each of us, and has that changed since we started?

• What does success mean to us today, individually and together?

• How would each of us describe our vision for the business right now?

• Where are we aligned on that vision? And where do we see things differently?

• What would feel like meaningful progress for each of us in the next 6 months?

• How can we grow in a way that feels sustainable for both of us?

• What partnership do we need to create to make this all happen?

These questions won’t just help you map out next steps - they’ll strengthen your alignment, deepen trust, and help you build a business and partnership you’re both energised by.