Why entrepreneurial founders can founder later as company leaders

Different management skills are required to succeed in different situations.  The dilemma that creates for many successful entrepreneurs and managers is that the very qualities that made them successful eventually thwart further growth. Do you recognize someone who has reached their ceiling because they continue to rely on styles that have now become ineffective?

To read the rest of this article from the Washington Business Journal, see: Why entrepreneurial founders can founder later as company leaders http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2004/02/02/smallb2.html

Here are five examples of behaviors that help entrepreneurs succeed at first but thwart next steps of growth – See the original article for details.

1. They won’t take “no” for an answer.  They insist that everything get done their way.
2. They have to be the center of all activity.
3. They insist on making all the rules ... as they go along.  Even when they’re wrong, they still won’t listen to advice.
4. They act like fighter pilots - crisis management.
5. Insisting on doing it their way drives away many competent, creative and responsible employees.

Like them or not, those methods are usually necessary for success when the entrepreneurs are founding their companies.  As long as founders have the energy to do everything and make the right decisions, their companies can stay small and afloat.  But they can’t rely on the same qualities to make the jump to the next level of organization or profit.

This illustrates a truism often ignored by management gurus.  No particular style guarantees success.  What’s effective in one situation is often problematic in another and vice versa.

Often, individuals need coaching and organizations need consulting to help them design and implement a plan that fits the situation.  To get the help you need, call Ben at 1-877-828-5543.