Title: Founder's Syndrome: How Corporations Suffer -- and Can Recover
Headings: Founder's Syndrome: How Corporations Suffer -- and Can Recover
Founder's Syndrome: How Corporations Suffer -- and Can Recover
Introduction
Table of Contents
Preface
Founders' Syndrome: During Tenure of Founder
Transitioning to a New Chief Executive
Appendix A - Procedure for Transitioning to a New Chief Executive
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Preface
Founders' Syndrome: During Tenure of Founder
A Typical Problem Among Small Organizations
Some Troublesome Traits Among Founders
Typical Traits of Well-Developed Leaders
Basic Principles in Developing Leadership
Actions Boards Must Take
Actions Founders Must Take
Actions Staff Might Take
Summary
Transitioning to a New Chief Executive
Founder's Syndrome: When New Chief Executive Replaces Founder
Symptoms Depend On Nature of Founder
Typical Symptoms
Actions Boards Must Take
Actions New Chief Executive Must Take Before Taking the Job
Actions New Chief Executive Must Take After Taking the Job
What if Founder Left Organization in a Mess?
Appendix A -
Procedure for Transitioning to a New Chief Executive
Current Chief Executive's Notification to Board
Confidentiality
Board Preparation
Administrative Preparation
Interim Coordination Between Board and Staff
Hiring the New Chief Executive
Orienting the New Chief Executive
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For the Category of Leadership:

Content: The organization struggles from one crisis to another. No one really seems to know what's going on. People become afraid of the founder. · Founders Syndrome is no one's fault -- no founder sets out to damage their organization. Besides, the syndrome rarely takes hold without numerous members of the Board and staff exhibiting symptoms of the syndrome. · Eventually, stakeholders confront the founder about the organization's recurring problems (if the organization is a nonprofit, funders often will confront the chief executive or board). Often, the founder becomes increasingly anxious and defensive, and soon resorts to blaming Board members and staff (nonprofits also blame funders). Without ongoing coaching and support, it's likely that the founder will be replaced, or even worse, the organization will fold. · There are actions that founders and Board members can take to avoid these tragic outcomes. Start simple, but start.