Kenneth Lo
@kennethlo.ai
Building @arc5ventures.com to fund AI-driven behavioral health startups for mental wellness. Pitch your vision & connect! #AI #HealthTech
most mistakes aren’t about people
they’re about ignoring signals
urgency. charisma. story.
all noise.
who owns the decision
how credit flows
whether structure tightens
those decide the ending early
pattern recognition is reps plus consequences
once you see it
you leave sooner
and quieter
they’re about ignoring signals
urgency. charisma. story.
all noise.
who owns the decision
how credit flows
whether structure tightens
those decide the ending early
pattern recognition is reps plus consequences
once you see it
you leave sooner
and quieter
January 29, 2026 at 8:26 PM
most mistakes aren’t about people
they’re about ignoring signals
urgency. charisma. story.
all noise.
who owns the decision
how credit flows
whether structure tightens
those decide the ending early
pattern recognition is reps plus consequences
once you see it
you leave sooner
and quieter
they’re about ignoring signals
urgency. charisma. story.
all noise.
who owns the decision
how credit flows
whether structure tightens
those decide the ending early
pattern recognition is reps plus consequences
once you see it
you leave sooner
and quieter
alignment doesn’t unblock teams.
ownership does.
name the decision.
name the owner.
name what happens if it stays open.
most stalls end right there.
ownership does.
name the decision.
name the owner.
name what happens if it stays open.
most stalls end right there.
January 29, 2026 at 5:54 AM
alignment doesn’t unblock teams.
ownership does.
name the decision.
name the owner.
name what happens if it stays open.
most stalls end right there.
ownership does.
name the decision.
name the owner.
name what happens if it stays open.
most stalls end right there.
this is what the last few months looked like
prehab
rehab
and showing up anyway
nothing heroic
just stubborn consistency
what are you rebuilding quietly right now?
prehab
rehab
and showing up anyway
nothing heroic
just stubborn consistency
what are you rebuilding quietly right now?
January 28, 2026 at 2:56 AM
this is what the last few months looked like
prehab
rehab
and showing up anyway
nothing heroic
just stubborn consistency
what are you rebuilding quietly right now?
prehab
rehab
and showing up anyway
nothing heroic
just stubborn consistency
what are you rebuilding quietly right now?
this almost didn’t exist
we circled the same questions for weeks
tools
format
timing
what ifs stacked on what ifs
then one call
one decision
everything snapped into place
momentum isn’t magic
it’s compression
what’s something you know should already be live but isn’t yet?
we circled the same questions for weeks
tools
format
timing
what ifs stacked on what ifs
then one call
one decision
everything snapped into place
momentum isn’t magic
it’s compression
what’s something you know should already be live but isn’t yet?
January 27, 2026 at 4:13 AM
this almost didn’t exist
we circled the same questions for weeks
tools
format
timing
what ifs stacked on what ifs
then one call
one decision
everything snapped into place
momentum isn’t magic
it’s compression
what’s something you know should already be live but isn’t yet?
we circled the same questions for weeks
tools
format
timing
what ifs stacked on what ifs
then one call
one decision
everything snapped into place
momentum isn’t magic
it’s compression
what’s something you know should already be live but isn’t yet?
you’re always closer to being a meme than you think
walked into standup
my ai-native team surprised me
another year older
still grateful for the people who make the work lighter
what moment this year caught you off guard in a good way?
walked into standup
my ai-native team surprised me
another year older
still grateful for the people who make the work lighter
what moment this year caught you off guard in a good way?
January 23, 2026 at 7:09 PM
you’re always closer to being a meme than you think
walked into standup
my ai-native team surprised me
another year older
still grateful for the people who make the work lighter
what moment this year caught you off guard in a good way?
walked into standup
my ai-native team surprised me
another year older
still grateful for the people who make the work lighter
what moment this year caught you off guard in a good way?
momentum isn’t speed.
it’s alignment.
when the story, the work,
and the incentives disagree,
progress feels loud
and goes nowhere.
quiet teams usually know why.
it’s alignment.
when the story, the work,
and the incentives disagree,
progress feels loud
and goes nowhere.
quiet teams usually know why.
January 22, 2026 at 4:27 PM
momentum isn’t speed.
it’s alignment.
when the story, the work,
and the incentives disagree,
progress feels loud
and goes nowhere.
quiet teams usually know why.
it’s alignment.
when the story, the work,
and the incentives disagree,
progress feels loud
and goes nowhere.
quiet teams usually know why.
midday field note:
ai research works best in short, contained bursts.
left unattended, it multiplies options instead of resolving them.
hard stops help.
20 minutes forced a decision instead of another thread.
unexpected side effect: less cognitive weight.
pressure eased once the loop closed.
ai research works best in short, contained bursts.
left unattended, it multiplies options instead of resolving them.
hard stops help.
20 minutes forced a decision instead of another thread.
unexpected side effect: less cognitive weight.
pressure eased once the loop closed.
January 21, 2026 at 11:13 PM
midday field note:
ai research works best in short, contained bursts.
left unattended, it multiplies options instead of resolving them.
hard stops help.
20 minutes forced a decision instead of another thread.
unexpected side effect: less cognitive weight.
pressure eased once the loop closed.
ai research works best in short, contained bursts.
left unattended, it multiplies options instead of resolving them.
hard stops help.
20 minutes forced a decision instead of another thread.
unexpected side effect: less cognitive weight.
pressure eased once the loop closed.
indecision isn’t neutral.
it taxes momentum first.
then trust.
then credibility.
by the time revenue shows it,
the damage is already done.
it taxes momentum first.
then trust.
then credibility.
by the time revenue shows it,
the damage is already done.
January 21, 2026 at 8:32 PM
indecision isn’t neutral.
it taxes momentum first.
then trust.
then credibility.
by the time revenue shows it,
the damage is already done.
it taxes momentum first.
then trust.
then credibility.
by the time revenue shows it,
the damage is already done.
routine mri/ct today.
results: unremarkable.
best kind.
a little out of practice.
same familiar faces.
the x-ray jokes still land.
results: unremarkable.
best kind.
a little out of practice.
same familiar faces.
the x-ray jokes still land.
January 20, 2026 at 11:28 PM
routine mri/ct today.
results: unremarkable.
best kind.
a little out of practice.
same familiar faces.
the x-ray jokes still land.
results: unremarkable.
best kind.
a little out of practice.
same familiar faces.
the x-ray jokes still land.
Speed isn’t what stalls teams.
Lack of clarity does.
When ownership is vague,
every decision feels risky.
So momentum looks busy instead of directional.
What would move faster if one person actually owned the call?
Lack of clarity does.
When ownership is vague,
every decision feels risky.
So momentum looks busy instead of directional.
What would move faster if one person actually owned the call?
January 20, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Speed isn’t what stalls teams.
Lack of clarity does.
When ownership is vague,
every decision feels risky.
So momentum looks busy instead of directional.
What would move faster if one person actually owned the call?
Lack of clarity does.
When ownership is vague,
every decision feels risky.
So momentum looks busy instead of directional.
What would move faster if one person actually owned the call?
most orgs don’t stall because of tech.
they stall because no one makes the call.
tools pile up.
meetings multiply.
progress looks busy.
but the decision stays open.
they stall because no one makes the call.
tools pile up.
meetings multiply.
progress looks busy.
but the decision stays open.
January 20, 2026 at 3:57 AM
most orgs don’t stall because of tech.
they stall because no one makes the call.
tools pile up.
meetings multiply.
progress looks busy.
but the decision stays open.
they stall because no one makes the call.
tools pile up.
meetings multiply.
progress looks busy.
but the decision stays open.
rewatching peaky blinders
what stands out isn’t the violence
but the moments where a choice closes other doors
when your back’s against the wall
everything that pays looks tempting
the harder move is protecting the thing you do best
even when the tradeoff is real
what stands out isn’t the violence
but the moments where a choice closes other doors
when your back’s against the wall
everything that pays looks tempting
the harder move is protecting the thing you do best
even when the tradeoff is real
January 17, 2026 at 11:24 PM
rewatching peaky blinders
what stands out isn’t the violence
but the moments where a choice closes other doors
when your back’s against the wall
everything that pays looks tempting
the harder move is protecting the thing you do best
even when the tradeoff is real
what stands out isn’t the violence
but the moments where a choice closes other doors
when your back’s against the wall
everything that pays looks tempting
the harder move is protecting the thing you do best
even when the tradeoff is real
once you see decision backlog,
you can’t unsee it.
the question is no longer if it exists.
it’s where you’re tolerating it
because calling it feels uncomfortable.
what decision has been “almost ready” for too long?
you can’t unsee it.
the question is no longer if it exists.
it’s where you’re tolerating it
because calling it feels uncomfortable.
what decision has been “almost ready” for too long?
January 16, 2026 at 3:31 PM
once you see decision backlog,
you can’t unsee it.
the question is no longer if it exists.
it’s where you’re tolerating it
because calling it feels uncomfortable.
what decision has been “almost ready” for too long?
you can’t unsee it.
the question is no longer if it exists.
it’s where you’re tolerating it
because calling it feels uncomfortable.
what decision has been “almost ready” for too long?
seeing entrepreneurs present after exhausting travel and genuine challenges serves a purpose
it removes the drama
the core question emerges: is their belief strong enough to push forward regardless?
glamour quickly vanishes
determination remains
ultimately, that's the true message that counts
it removes the drama
the core question emerges: is their belief strong enough to push forward regardless?
glamour quickly vanishes
determination remains
ultimately, that's the true message that counts
January 16, 2026 at 4:23 AM
seeing entrepreneurs present after exhausting travel and genuine challenges serves a purpose
it removes the drama
the core question emerges: is their belief strong enough to push forward regardless?
glamour quickly vanishes
determination remains
ultimately, that's the true message that counts
it removes the drama
the core question emerges: is their belief strong enough to push forward regardless?
glamour quickly vanishes
determination remains
ultimately, that's the true message that counts
most founders don’t underprice by accident.
they do it to reduce risk.
to get a yes.
to avoid tension.
but pricing isn’t just math.
it’s posture.
your first price tells the market
whether you’re experimenting
or committing.
one attracts feedback.
the other attracts buyers.
they do it to reduce risk.
to get a yes.
to avoid tension.
but pricing isn’t just math.
it’s posture.
your first price tells the market
whether you’re experimenting
or committing.
one attracts feedback.
the other attracts buyers.
January 15, 2026 at 3:30 PM
most founders don’t underprice by accident.
they do it to reduce risk.
to get a yes.
to avoid tension.
but pricing isn’t just math.
it’s posture.
your first price tells the market
whether you’re experimenting
or committing.
one attracts feedback.
the other attracts buyers.
they do it to reduce risk.
to get a yes.
to avoid tension.
but pricing isn’t just math.
it’s posture.
your first price tells the market
whether you’re experimenting
or committing.
one attracts feedback.
the other attracts buyers.
price anchoring only works when it’s intentional.
the anchor isn’t the deal you hope they pick.
it’s the ceiling that defines seriousness.
start too low and call it “traction”
and you’re not anchoring.
you’re signaling who you are.
the anchor isn’t the deal you hope they pick.
it’s the ceiling that defines seriousness.
start too low and call it “traction”
and you’re not anchoring.
you’re signaling who you are.
January 15, 2026 at 3:33 AM
price anchoring only works when it’s intentional.
the anchor isn’t the deal you hope they pick.
it’s the ceiling that defines seriousness.
start too low and call it “traction”
and you’re not anchoring.
you’re signaling who you are.
the anchor isn’t the deal you hope they pick.
it’s the ceiling that defines seriousness.
start too low and call it “traction”
and you’re not anchoring.
you’re signaling who you are.
spoke with 3 founders today
all smart. all busy. all stuck
ideas are everywhere now
execution is getting automated
the bottleneck isn’t speed
judgment is
what to build
what to kill
when to decide
ai moves fast
judgment still decides
that’s the real currency right now
all smart. all busy. all stuck
ideas are everywhere now
execution is getting automated
the bottleneck isn’t speed
judgment is
what to build
what to kill
when to decide
ai moves fast
judgment still decides
that’s the real currency right now
January 14, 2026 at 2:18 AM
spoke with 3 founders today
all smart. all busy. all stuck
ideas are everywhere now
execution is getting automated
the bottleneck isn’t speed
judgment is
what to build
what to kill
when to decide
ai moves fast
judgment still decides
that’s the real currency right now
all smart. all busy. all stuck
ideas are everywhere now
execution is getting automated
the bottleneck isn’t speed
judgment is
what to build
what to kill
when to decide
ai moves fast
judgment still decides
that’s the real currency right now
watching founders pitch after long flights
and real obstacles does something useful.
it strips the theatrics.
what’s left is simple:
do they believe this enough to carry it anyway?
polish fades fast.
conviction doesn’t.
that’s still the only signal that matters.
and real obstacles does something useful.
it strips the theatrics.
what’s left is simple:
do they believe this enough to carry it anyway?
polish fades fast.
conviction doesn’t.
that’s still the only signal that matters.
January 13, 2026 at 5:17 AM
watching founders pitch after long flights
and real obstacles does something useful.
it strips the theatrics.
what’s left is simple:
do they believe this enough to carry it anyway?
polish fades fast.
conviction doesn’t.
that’s still the only signal that matters.
and real obstacles does something useful.
it strips the theatrics.
what’s left is simple:
do they believe this enough to carry it anyway?
polish fades fast.
conviction doesn’t.
that’s still the only signal that matters.
could’ve played it safe
picked this route willingly.
so take a breath. stay consistent.
most damage doesn’t come from lack of effort.
it comes from escalation when steadiness is the real ask.
“finish strong” is seductive.
“stay the same” is harder.
one builds noise.
the other builds trust.
picked this route willingly.
so take a breath. stay consistent.
most damage doesn’t come from lack of effort.
it comes from escalation when steadiness is the real ask.
“finish strong” is seductive.
“stay the same” is harder.
one builds noise.
the other builds trust.
January 11, 2026 at 10:58 PM
could’ve played it safe
picked this route willingly.
so take a breath. stay consistent.
most damage doesn’t come from lack of effort.
it comes from escalation when steadiness is the real ask.
“finish strong” is seductive.
“stay the same” is harder.
one builds noise.
the other builds trust.
picked this route willingly.
so take a breath. stay consistent.
most damage doesn’t come from lack of effort.
it comes from escalation when steadiness is the real ask.
“finish strong” is seductive.
“stay the same” is harder.
one builds noise.
the other builds trust.
seeing this again this week.
speed gets confused for clarity.
urgency gets confused for leadership.
the decisions that hold
come after things slow down.
roles named.
ownership clear.
tradeoffs spoken.
most tension disappears
once everyone knows what they’re actually deciding.
speed gets confused for clarity.
urgency gets confused for leadership.
the decisions that hold
come after things slow down.
roles named.
ownership clear.
tradeoffs spoken.
most tension disappears
once everyone knows what they’re actually deciding.
January 9, 2026 at 11:55 PM
seeing this again this week.
speed gets confused for clarity.
urgency gets confused for leadership.
the decisions that hold
come after things slow down.
roles named.
ownership clear.
tradeoffs spoken.
most tension disappears
once everyone knows what they’re actually deciding.
speed gets confused for clarity.
urgency gets confused for leadership.
the decisions that hold
come after things slow down.
roles named.
ownership clear.
tradeoffs spoken.
most tension disappears
once everyone knows what they’re actually deciding.
went to a pitch night tonight.
founders flew from korea.
fought jet lag, language gaps, cultural distance.
still got on stage and made the case.
conviction travels better than polish.
effort beats proximity.
and hunger doesn’t care where you’re from.
easy to forget that when you’re comfortable.
founders flew from korea.
fought jet lag, language gaps, cultural distance.
still got on stage and made the case.
conviction travels better than polish.
effort beats proximity.
and hunger doesn’t care where you’re from.
easy to forget that when you’re comfortable.
January 9, 2026 at 6:21 AM
went to a pitch night tonight.
founders flew from korea.
fought jet lag, language gaps, cultural distance.
still got on stage and made the case.
conviction travels better than polish.
effort beats proximity.
and hunger doesn’t care where you’re from.
easy to forget that when you’re comfortable.
founders flew from korea.
fought jet lag, language gaps, cultural distance.
still got on stage and made the case.
conviction travels better than polish.
effort beats proximity.
and hunger doesn’t care where you’re from.
easy to forget that when you’re comfortable.
alignment isn’t consensus.
it’s knowing who owns the call
and letting everyone else move on.
if a decision needs the whole room every time,
it doesn’t have an owner.
that’s not collaboration.
that’s avoidance.
it’s knowing who owns the call
and letting everyone else move on.
if a decision needs the whole room every time,
it doesn’t have an owner.
that’s not collaboration.
that’s avoidance.
January 8, 2026 at 4:34 AM
alignment isn’t consensus.
it’s knowing who owns the call
and letting everyone else move on.
if a decision needs the whole room every time,
it doesn’t have an owner.
that’s not collaboration.
that’s avoidance.
it’s knowing who owns the call
and letting everyone else move on.
if a decision needs the whole room every time,
it doesn’t have an owner.
that’s not collaboration.
that’s avoidance.
watch what happens after the meeting.
if the same decision shows up again next week,
no one owned it.
real ownership doesn’t show up in slides.
it shows up in what never has to be discussed twice.
if the same decision shows up again next week,
no one owned it.
real ownership doesn’t show up in slides.
it shows up in what never has to be discussed twice.
January 7, 2026 at 5:16 AM
watch what happens after the meeting.
if the same decision shows up again next week,
no one owned it.
real ownership doesn’t show up in slides.
it shows up in what never has to be discussed twice.
if the same decision shows up again next week,
no one owned it.
real ownership doesn’t show up in slides.
it shows up in what never has to be discussed twice.
hid behind deliverables forever
they felt productive
they also delayed the one thing that actually mattered: decision ownership
this year made it obvious
leadership isn’t output
it’s choosing when there’s no clean answer and nowhere to hide
lighter armor
clearer calls
carrying less into next year
they felt productive
they also delayed the one thing that actually mattered: decision ownership
this year made it obvious
leadership isn’t output
it’s choosing when there’s no clean answer and nowhere to hide
lighter armor
clearer calls
carrying less into next year
January 6, 2026 at 4:41 AM
hid behind deliverables forever
they felt productive
they also delayed the one thing that actually mattered: decision ownership
this year made it obvious
leadership isn’t output
it’s choosing when there’s no clean answer and nowhere to hide
lighter armor
clearer calls
carrying less into next year
they felt productive
they also delayed the one thing that actually mattered: decision ownership
this year made it obvious
leadership isn’t output
it’s choosing when there’s no clean answer and nowhere to hide
lighter armor
clearer calls
carrying less into next year
first workday of the year
most teams aren’t behind on strategy
they’re behind on choosing
meetings are full
calendars are packed
and somehow no one owns the call
what decision is your team circling
instead of naming an owner?
most teams aren’t behind on strategy
they’re behind on choosing
meetings are full
calendars are packed
and somehow no one owns the call
what decision is your team circling
instead of naming an owner?
January 2, 2026 at 3:18 PM
first workday of the year
most teams aren’t behind on strategy
they’re behind on choosing
meetings are full
calendars are packed
and somehow no one owns the call
what decision is your team circling
instead of naming an owner?
most teams aren’t behind on strategy
they’re behind on choosing
meetings are full
calendars are packed
and somehow no one owns the call
what decision is your team circling
instead of naming an owner?