An organization doesn’t die solely because of a funding crunch—it also falters for many other reasons. For example, a founder may fail to cultivate a sense of ownership within the team, or individual team members may have personal goals that are misaligned with the organization’s long-term vision.
Another commonly overlooked issue is the divide in seniority. Long-standing team members may feel entitled to operate in silos, which can alienate newer hires. As a founder, it is your responsibility to integrate everyone. Left unchecked, this divide will deepen, building trenches and silos within the organization.
As the team grows, multiple units form, and their respective leads begin to shape the culture. If you, as the founder, are not actively adding value to both your team and the next generation of leaders, the company will eventually crumble.