Fathom CEO Richard White says procrastination is a secret weapon
Richard White, CEO of AI note-taking startup Fathom, flips the script on procrastination. For him, it’s not laziness but “ruthless prioritization” that fuels success.
White has built companies like UserVoice and now Fathom, which recently hit an eight-figure valuation. His secret? Delaying decisions to gather more data and strike at the right moment. 
"Procrastination is a way to gather more information before making critical decisions. When I delay a choice, I’m not being lazy; I’m waiting for the optimal moment when I have enough data to make the right call."
Fathom’s slow roll into AI call summaries proves the point. The company waited to build advanced features until GPT-4 and Claude 2 arrived—early investments wouldn’t have paid off.
White applies the same logic to life and work. He plans trips last minute, moves on urgent tasks first, and runs a deadline-free company culture to avoid rushed mistakes.
"I’ve developed what I call the ‘Jenga model’ for running my company. Like the game, when a piece looks too difficult or risky to move, I leave it and come back to it later."
He lets his teams own decisions and pushes important matters only when necessary.
"Most people think efficiency means doing things as quickly as possible. I think efficiency means doing things at the right time."
The takeaway? Next time you’re called a procrastinator, ask: Are you lazy or just waiting for better info? White says strategic patience made Fathom smarter, not slower.
