---
title: "Turn down anyone unclear about their commitment"
description: "Founders do not need to be full time. They need to accept that this is work with a purpose, and it needs their time and patience."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/lessons/turn-down-anyone-unclear-about-their-commitment/
updated: 2026-10-25
---

# Turn down anyone unclear about their commitment

> What makes Tom turn down a founder who wants to hire him?

Founders do not need to be full time. They need to accept that this is work with a purpose, and it needs their time and patience.

A lack of clear vision. And not in the sense of not knowing who they are or what they want to talk about. I mean being unclear about their commitment to the project.

They do not need to be full time. The whole point of me joining is to make the best use of their time and get output from it. But there has to be a clear acceptance that this is work. It is fun, and it has a very clear purpose, but it takes time, patience and their input.

## Questions

### What makes Tom turn a founder down?

Being unclear about their commitment to the project.

### Does the founder need to be full time?

No. Tom joins to make the best use of their time.

### What does commitment mean here?

Accepting that it is work with a purpose, and that it needs their time, patience and input.