"Lack of Focus Can Derail Even the Best Plans" says Rhythm Systems CEO Patrick Thean

“The best founders turn obstacles into opportunities and setbacks into setups for success.”

1. HackerNoon: What is your company in 2–5 words?

Patrick Thean: Strategy alignment and execution.

2. Why is now the time for your company to exist?

With a wave of high-profile CEOs stepping down – Peloton, Chevron, and others – it’s clear that today’s corporate leaders are under extraordinary pressure. Economic uncertainty, rising inflation, and the growing emphasis on ESG priorities have created an environment where the usual playbook no longer works. In this climate, companies must operate with sharper focus, tighter alignment, and better execution to navigate these challenges and thrive. Our approach helps organizations do that, equipping teams with the clarity and tools they need to succeed under today’s demanding conditions.

3. What do you love about your team, and why are you the ones to solve this problem?

I love my team’s relentless drive to make things simpler and more effective for leaders and their teams. They bring deep experience, a strong sense of accountability, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed. Our ability to translate complex problems into practical, actionable solutions that deliver results sets us apart. We’ve lived through the same challenges our clients face – misalignment, unclear priorities, and execution gaps – and we’ve built a proven system that works because we’ve tested it in real-world scenarios. It’s not just about the tools we provide; it’s about the mindset and discipline we help instill to create lasting change.

4. If you weren’t building your startup, what would you be doing?

If I weren’t building my company, I’d dedicate more of my time and energy to supporting causes I deeply care about, like Samaritan’s Feet. This incredible organization aimed to put 10 million pairs of shoes on the feet of 10 million children in 10 years, and their mission aligns with my passion for creating opportunities and hope for underserved communities. Whether through fundraising, hands-on involvement in shoe distribution events, or helping spread their message, I’d focus on expanding the impact of initiatives like this to transform lives and give kids a chance to dream bigger.

5. At the moment, how do you measure success? What are your metrics?

Success is measured by our tangible impact on the leaders and teams we support. Our Rhythm Systems software helps organizations track success by focusing on clear priorities, creating alignment, and executing with discipline. The platform enables leaders to measure what matters most – achieving strategic goals, improving team accountability, or hitting key performance metrics. We look at client goal achievement rates, the consistency of execution rhythms, and the alignment of leadership teams. Beyond the data, success is also about the stories we hear – how our system has transformed how leaders manage their teams, navigate challenges, and achieve results faster and more effectively. When our clients win, that’s the ultimate measure of our success.

6. In a few sentences, what do you offer to whom?

We help CEOs and leadership teams of growth-oriented mid-market companies achieve their goals faster and with less friction. We provide the tools, methodology, and coaching to clarify strategic priorities, align teams, and drive accountability with measurable KPIs. Our approach ensures leaders focus on what matters most, execute effectively, and make better decisions using real-time data.

7. What’s most exciting about your traction to date?

What excites me most is seeing our system's real-world impact on our clients. Companies like MobilityWorks, which has achieved record revenue and profits, and AvidXchange, which has scaled from $40M to $100M in just two years, prove that our approach works. It’s not just about the numbers – it’s hearing from CEOs and teams who say our tools and methodology have transformed how they operate, helping them focus, align, and win. Watching our clients break through their ceilings and accomplish things they once thought impossible keeps us motivated daily.

8. Where do you think your growth will be next year?

Next year, our growth continues to help CEOs and their leadership teams navigate the complexity of scaling their businesses. With the increasing challenges of hybrid work, economic uncertainty, and rapidly changing markets, more leaders seek practical tools to stay aligned and execute effectively. Rhythm Systems is positioned to meet that need with our platform, simplifying strategic planning and execution by investing in enhancements like AI-driven insights for better decision-making. Additionally, we’ll focus on expanding our reach through referrals and partnerships and sharing more success stories from clients who’ve used our system to achieve record results. It’s exciting as more companies realize the value of working with clarity, focus, and accountability.

9. Tell us about your first paying customer and revenue expectations over the next year.

From start-up to IPO: AvidXchange became our first paying customer 16 years ago. They were growing dramatically and faced internal challenges as headcount quickly grew from 50 to 1,600 employees. Keeping teams aligned to meet key deliverables as the organization transformed was critical – but hard. Product launches, acquisitions, R&D, and customer success required seamless collaboration among multiple departments and teams. The risk of missing handoffs and falling short of customer commitments was greater than ever.

How Rhythm Helped: Closing the communication gap around goals. Michael Praeger, CEO and Co-Founder of AvidXchange, committed to his team’s success through vertical and horizontal alignment. Rhythm launched a company-wide training initiative, focusing on how to use the software and methodology to promote transparency around goals. Rhythm coaches pinpointed areas of misalignment, which helped teams make crucial planning and execution adjustments to bridge the communication gap and pivot quickly when necessary.

Key Learnings: Cross-functional team alignment allowed AvidXchange to increase productivity by 300%, resulting in a key product launching 6 months earlier than scheduled. By 2021, they made a successful IPO at a $2 billion valuation.

Revenue expectations are always an exciting topic when looking ahead to next year. Clear goals and solid planning ensure a successful and sustainable year.

10. What’s your biggest threat?

Our biggest threat is the temptation for leaders to revert to old habits, especially when faced with pressure or uncertainty. It’s easy for teams to fall back into reacting to urgent issues instead of sticking to a disciplined execution process. This lack of focus can derail even the best plans. Additionally, as more tools and software solutions enter the market, companies risk getting distracted by “shiny objects” that promise quick fixes but don’t deliver real results. Staying laser-focused on helping our clients achieve measurable outcomes – and ensuring they build the habits to sustain those results – keeps us ahead of these challenges.

This startup founder interview template is based on HackerNoon Founder & CEO David Smooke’s ten questions for startup founders.