PW
The Founder’s Price
Imagine the work continuing without your control, then identify what you believe the founder is still owed.
Chapter Thirteen
Founders are often erased too quickly. They are also skilled at confusing contribution with permanent authority.
The complete practice
Think of something you built.
A family.
A church.
A company.
A movement.
A name.
Now imagine it continuing without you.
Ask what part belongs to the work.
Ask what part belongs to the people who carried it.
Then ask what belongs to the founder.
Credit?
Authority?
Income?
A permanent seat?
The right to enter every room?
The right to stop the work before another person changes it?
Do not accept the easy answer that the founder deserves nothing.
Movements are often most eager to forget the man after learning everything he knew.
I have added one question since I first taught this lesson:
If the work no longer needs your control, what will you build next?
Private journal
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