Situation · Work
“My co-founder won't let go of control”
What could be going on
Founder can't let go: Fits exactly; check whether every decision still routes through them as the company grows.
Founder syndrome: Fits if their identity is fused with the company and growth feels like loss.
Omnipotent control: Fits if they act as though only they can make things go right.
Hero projects and the denial of death (Becker): Fits if the company is their proof of mattering, so sharing it feels like vanishing.
Role conflict and ambiguity: Check whether new roles were ever given real authority, or only titles.
Questions to carry
- What did my co-founder do in the day or two after I last made a call alone?
- Where have I stepped back and let control stay with my co-founder, and why there?
Also said as
- the founder can't delegate
- he still wants to approve everything even though we have 50 people
- my business partner won't let anyone else make decisions
- founder can't let go
- my co-founder has to approve every decision
- founder refuses to hand over responsibility