Decisions return to the founder

The experience

Watching capable employees repeatedly bring decisions back to you that they should be making themselves

Common first interpretation

My people will not take ownership.

What it may mean

The organization may have learned that founder approval, revision, or intervention is the safest and fastest path - even when ownership is verbally encouraged.

Developmental demand

Align decision rights, capability, standards, and founder restraint so ownership can survive.

Trap if unresolved

Escalation becomes rational and the founder remains the actual decision system.

In the book

Ch. 8 - You Trained the Company to Come Back to You