"Founder" is merely a Snapshot in time - not a operational responsibility in an organisation
Founders can't be hire, promote or fired - it is not related to competencies nor (well) fulfilled responsibilities
Founders will always be the ones who made the first strides of a venture - not matter what happens next
"Founder" is not
- a sign of competence or skill, beyond daring to take initiative
- a qualification to do a certain job, nor
- an entitlement to take on C-level roles (or whatever you call that)
"Founder" describes actions in the past - ie starting a project and shaping its early form.
Typically, that early venture evolves and changes over time with the help of others
Founders should to be self-aware and realise when it's time to get out of the way and allow the organisation to grow
Founders clinging on to the entitlement of leadership positions are no better than managers clinging to privileges of C-level positions.
As an organisation grows, founders may well grow out of it and become a bottleneck. That's life.
Few founders have knowledge and skills that are irreplaceable. Even fewer are capable to adapt to the changing maturity and needs of a venture. Frustrations will grow on all sides - because somehow "founder" is a glorified title beyond (my) logic.
Only if founders are able to co-create an inspiring vision with their team, breathe authenticity into values and believes, and/or get out of the way* in time, they will be able to make the organisation bloom.
(* still remaining shareholders, board members, the face on the about us page and in the history books of commercial registers and cap tables … you name it)
Snapshots: see Fortnite - a different personality results from different circumstances, and a different one is required when times/challenges change.
#founders #entrepreneurship #fortnite #leadership