Decisionmaking power should match founder commitment from "summary" of The Founder's Dilemmas by Noam Wasserman
One key factor that founders must carefully consider is the alignment between their level of commitment to the venture and their decision-making power within the company. This concept is crucial because the decisions that founders make can have a significant impact on the success or failure of the venture. If a founder has a high level of commitment to the venture but lacks decision-making power, they may feel frustrated and disempowered, which can ultimately lead to dissatisfaction and potentially even their departure from the company. On the other hand, if a founder has decision-making power that exceeds their level of commitment, they may make risky or ill-advised decisions that could jeopardize the future of the company. This mismatch between commitment and decision-making power can create tension and conflicts within the company, as other stakeholders may question the founder's judgment and leadership abilities. Founders must therefore carefully assess their own level of commitment to the venture and ensure that their decision-making power is in line with this commitment. This requires a high degree of self-awareness and an honest evaluation of one's own motivations and priorities. By aligning decision-making power with founder commitment, founders can create a more harmonious and effective leadership structure that promotes the long-term success of the company.- The goal is to strike a balance between founder commitment and decision-making power that allows for effective leadership and decision-making while also ensuring that the founder's passion and dedication to the venture are respected and valued. By carefully considering this alignment, founders can navigate the complex challenges of building and growing a successful company while also preserving their own sense of purpose and fulfillment.
