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Mo’ Founders, Mo’ Problems

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No matter how brilliant a startup’s founders, they are still human and can fall into dysfunctional patterns. While many startups die because they don’t find product-market fit, cofounder drama might be just as big of a cause. Unfortunately, people problems are far more difficult to talk about than product pivots or market conditions—and that makes cofounder conflict the secret killer of startups. Here are just a few situations that I’ve encountered in my work as CEO/founder of Workflow, a recruiting and talent consultancy for startups: two cofounders at a well-known startup parade their “great friendship” in the press, much like a couple with a meet-cute story. In private, they can’t stand each other—it’s all for show. Or a CEO/founder considers their cofounder deadweight and boxes them into a corner while constantly complaining about their share of equity. How you address these conflicts can set the blueprint for how you approach challenges as a company, with your behaviors cascading

Skip to content We use analytics and advertising tools by default. You can update this anytime. Privacy Preferences Do Not Sell or Share Privacy Preferences x Manage optional tracking categories. Necessary cookies stay on so the site can function. Analytics Advertising and sharing Cancel Save Preferences Mo’ Founders, Mo’ Problems Dall-E/prompt: "watercolor depiction of a modern startup office engulfed in flames. Inside, four co-founders are seated around a table, glaring at each other with evident tension and animosity, while the office blazes around them" By Jennifer Kim Founder/CEO of Workf

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