When Founders Get Stuck — Scaling, Control & the Power of Letting Go with Tina Mathas & Pablo

In this episode of the Leaderful Podcast, Pablo is joined by leadership coach and fractional COO Tina Mathas. Together, they unpack the deeply human side of startup scaling—from control and ego to purpose, burnout, and how hard it is to let go of your “business baby.”

Drawing on decades of combined experience, Tina and Pablo explore what keeps founders from scaling effectively, and why bringing in a fractional COO can be a game-changer. You'll hear real stories of founders hitting their limits, the importance of reconnecting to values, and why “being nice” can sometimes be a leadership liability.

They also share how fractional roles—when done right—can bring clarity, structure, and renewed focus to growing teams, and how trusted advisors can serve as the mirror founders often need to move forward.

🔍 Also covered in this episode:

• What ego and fear have to do with founder burnout
• The value of trusted advisors vs. tactical consultants
• How misaligned values create friction—and how to fix it
• What it really means to “fall back in love” with your business
• The difference between people-pleasing and service-oriented leadership
• Signs it might be time to bring in a fractional COO

Whether you’re running a fast-growing startup or supporting one from the inside, this episode is filled with hard truths and compassionate strategies to help you grow—without losing yourself along the way.