ON FOUNDER DISPUTES, FALLOUTS & BUILDING TRUST

CARLOS EDUARDO ESPINAL@CEE | @SEEDCAMP

THE FOUNDATION OF ALL RELATIONSHIPS IStrust

THE FOUNDATION OF ALL DISPUTES IS A LACK OF TRUST

THE 8 PILLARS OF TRUST ARE:|

CLARITY, COMPASSION, CHARACTER,COMPETENCY, COMMITMENT, CONNECTION,

CONTRIBUTION, AND CONSISTENCY|

*‘THE TRUST EDGE’, DAVID HORSAGER

STARTUPS = AMBIGUITY.THAT “CAN” BE OK, BUT YOU SHOULD STILL

TRY TO PURSUE CLARITY.

SIX ACTIONS TO HELP CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF TRUST

CREATE A STRONG & CONSISTENT CULTURE

CLEARLY DEFINE ROLESRASCI - RESPONSIBLE, ACCOUNTABLE,

SUPPORT, CONSULTED, INFORMED

CREATE ACCOUNTABILITY

COMMUNICATE FREQUENTLY

HAVE A PLAN FOR HOW THINGS SHOULD FAIL

GRACEFULLYFOUNDER’S COLLABORATION AGREEMENT

IF THINGS GO SOUR, TAKE ACTION QUICKLY TO RE-

ORGANIZE

WHAT IF TRUST IS BROKEN?HERE ARE 5 OPTIONS TO DEAL WITH IT

OPTION 1 - COMPLETE RECONCILIATION AND RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUST BETWEEN

FOUNDERS

OPTION 2 - ONE FOUNDER TAKES THE LEADERSHIP HAT AND THE OTHER(S) A MORE OPERATIONALLY DEFINED ROLE

OPTION 3 - THE FOUNDERS JOINTLY AGREE TO BRING ON A NEW LEADER INTO THE

ORGANIZATION

OPTION 4 - THE OFFENDING (OR OFFENDED) FOUNDER LEAVES THE COMPANY

OPTION 5 - THE FOUNDERS JOINTLY AGREE TO SHUT THE COMPANY DOWN

INVEST IN BUILDING AND KEEPING TRUST, IT WILL GO FURTHER THAN ANY OTHER TYPE OF

INVESTMENT