Lead the Flow | Dan Wilson on Makers, Managers, and the Leadership Sweet Spot

In this edition of Lead the Flow, Dan Wilson unpacks the often-overlooked tension between maker time and manager time—a concept originally articulated by Paul Graham. Drawing from his journey as both a software engineer and a product marketing leader, Dan shares how he’s navigated the shift from deep focus work to cross-functional collaboration, and what leaders can do to protect both creativity and execution.

We also explore a powerful closing idea: the Aristotelian mean—the virtue that lies between two extremes. Dan challenges leaders to reflect on where they may be over-indexing, and how to recalibrate toward balance in a high-growth, high-expectation environment.

Key takeaways:

• The challenges of transitioning from maker to manager
• Practical strategies for protecting flow and focus
• Why internal influence often requires a different skill set than external consulting
• Finding leadership balance by aiming for the “middle path”

If you lead teams, build products, or wear multiple hats in your organization, this conversation will give you fresh language—and frameworks—for thinking about time, trust, and personal growth.