Now

Inspired by the /now page movement, here’s what’s keeping me busy lately.

Last updated: April, 2026 from Austin, Texas.

Coaching CEOs

Most of my time is spent coaching CEOs who are scaling from 7-figures to 9-figures. After leading AppSumo from $3M to $80M in annual revenue, I learned that the most impactful part of that journey was the people, not the tactics. Now I help founders develop their teams, step out of the weeds, and shift from operator to true CEO.

My coaching is focused on leadership, delegation, and building companies that grow without burning out the person at the top. A lot of what I teach comes down to finding leverage instead of grinding harder.

Architect Mode

The biggest piece of new thinking I’ve been working on is Architect Mode, which is the frame for a new talk and a longer body of work. The idea is that leadership has moved through three eras: Manager Mode (the pyramid), Founder Mode (decisions concentrated around one person), and now Architect Mode, where the leader’s job is to design the systems that let smart decisions happen without them.

I’ve put the full version of this on its own site at architect.aymanalabdullah.com. It’s the lens I’m using with most of the CEOs I coach right now.

Developing Leaders

A big part of my work is teaching the frameworks I wish I had early in my career. I help CEOs identify their highest-leverage activities, build leadership pipelines, and create operational clarity so they can stop firefighting and start thinking long-term.

Lately I’ve been writing a lot about people decisions specifically. Why trust matters more than performance when building a team, why your best salesperson might be your worst sales manager, and the biggest firing mistake I’ve made in my career. Most leaders do not need more hours in the day. They need systems, trust, and stronger teams.

Sharing Lessons Publicly

I’m writing and sharing more of my thinking online, especially around scaling, hiring, and culture. Recent pieces I’ve been getting good feedback on include the One Hill Doctrine on focus, how this AI wave is cutting entire job categories, and the four things every CEO actually owes their team.

I’m most active on X/Twitter, but I’m also building more presence on LinkedIn and Instagram, where I share shorter insights for busy operators.

Life Outside Work

When I’m not coaching or writing, I’m spending time with my family here in Austin. I’ve been thinking a lot about why entrepreneurship is often a trauma response, and how to build a life that has room for both impact and presence. That is the version I’m trying to model for the CEOs I work with.

The End.