Hi there, and welcome back to another Insane Founder.

In the latest news: Chinese officials are reportedly eyeing Elon Musk as a potential buyer for TikTok’s US operations if a ban goes through. While ByteDance battles in court, Musk’s X platform could gain a major boost from TikTok’s 170M US users—assuming he can stomach the $40–$50B price tag.

Mark Zuckerberg’s recent transformation—from Silicon Valley tech nerd to bow-hunting, cage-fighting advocate of “masculine energy”—has been impossible to miss. Over the past year, the Meta founder has seemingly shed his old image, aligning himself with the political climate under the Trump administration. But as a media company, we’re not here to dissect the politics. Instead, we’re asking a deeper question: How much does leadership authenticity matter, and when does reinvention start to look like opportunism?

Authenticity vs. adaptation

Leaders evolve—sometimes dramatically—but Zuckerberg’s pivot feels more like a strategic rebrand than genuine growth. From rolling back Meta’s DEI programs to praising Trump’s regulatory agenda, his moves seem timed to align with shifting political and economic winds. On the Joe Rogan podcast, he talked about “repopulating the cultural elite” and celebrated aggression in leadership—positions that align neatly with a MAGA-tinged worldview. But is this about conviction or convenience?

Authenticity is the foundation of leadership. When CEOs shift their values to match external pressures, it invites distrust. Employees might wonder whether their leader truly supports them, customers may lose faith in the brand’s mission, and investors could question the stability of long-term plans.

The stakes of hollow leadership

Zuckerberg isn’t the first leader to embrace reinvention, but the stakes are especially high for someone whose company’s mission is to “connect the world.” Trust—among users, employees, and stakeholders—is vital. When the transformation feels too on-the-nose, too tailored to a moment’s convenience, it risks coming off as inauthentic.

Meta’s changes, from replacing fact-checkers with community notes to moving content moderation teams to Texas, mirror decisions made by Elon Musk at X. The parallels are glaring, but they also underline a key question: Is this about adapting to a new era of leadership or merely chasing relevance in a politically favorable climate?

Why authenticity matters

Leadership isn’t about staying static—it’s about evolving with integrity. The problem arises when reinvention starts to feel like a costume, designed to fit the audience of the moment rather than reflect deeper beliefs. For Zuckerberg, this transformation may win short-term allies, but the long-term challenge will be convincing people it’s more than just a well-timed act.

Authenticity builds trust, and trust builds resilience. Leaders who shape their identity around convenience risk losing both—and once it’s gone, it’s nearly impossible to rebuild.

Forget the office vs. remote debate—leaders are focusing on how we work, not just where.

The Work States Futures Report reveals five emerging mindsets driving this shift, from purpose-driven leadership to adaptive learning.

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A potential TikTok ban in the U.S. would ripple through the startup ecosystem, especially for tech-driven companies that have leveraged the platform's algorithm to gain traction. While the legal battle unfolds, this isn't just about politics—it's a wake-up call for startups dependent on single-platform strategies.

Immediate impacts on startups

TikTok has been a launchpad for startups, offering unprecedented organic reach with minimal ad spend. For startups focused on product discovery, TikTok’s ability to connect niche solutions with broad audiences has been invaluable. Research shows 77% of users discover small businesses through TikTok before encountering them elsewhere. Losing this marketing channel would mean recalibrating strategies overnight.

Startups like Mercury and Brex, which use TikTok to reach entrepreneurs and SMBs, would need to reallocate resources to other platforms like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, or LinkedIn. This pivot could demand new expertise, budgets, and time—luxuries many startups can’t afford in fast-moving markets.

The danger of over-reliance

For startups, a TikTok ban would highlight the risks of platform dependency. Relying on one app’s algorithm or audience for growth leaves businesses vulnerable to policy changes. Startups need to think beyond "what works now" and future-proof their go-to-market strategies by diversifying across multiple platforms and channels.

As Denish Shah of Georgia State University puts it, “The habit of consuming short-form content isn’t disappearing. Startups must focus on spreading their presence across platforms, even if TikTok stays.”

Opportunities in the chaos

Disruption often breeds innovation. Startups building tools for creators or offering cross-platform solutions could thrive as businesses seek to diversify. Think of analytics tools that track engagement across platforms, or SaaS products that help optimize multi-platform campaigns.

Eric Wei, co-CEO of Karat Financial, sees this as a growth moment for startups in adjacent spaces. “If TikTok disappears, creators and startups will need smarter tools to diversify and monetize. That’s where opportunities will boom.”

Adaptation is survival

The TikTok ban debate isn’t just about whether the app survives—it’s a lesson for startups about resilience. Agile businesses that adapt by broadening their digital strategies will emerge stronger. Whether it’s creating platform-agnostic content, investing in SEO, or testing new ad platforms, the key is flexibility.

The message is clear: Innovate, diversify, and plan for the unpredictable. A TikTok ban might feel like a crisis, but for the right startup, it’s also a chance to reset and grow.

The latest updates on TikTok ban