5 steps when 3 or more founders came to the meeting

If you have 3 founders in front of you, you run the risk of being just one more useless consultant for them.

Ask the diagnostic question, "Who is responsible for what?".

If everyone is in charge of everything, you're in trouble.

Why? There is no responsibility sharing.

In a complex situations, these 3 founders will pass the buck to each other, and no results will be achieved.

Guess who's to blame? Of course, you'll be at fault.

Here’s what to do if you face this trio:

1. RUN!

If you can flee, do so!

It’s quite unlikely that you’ll make any progress with them.

They’ll spend a lot of your time trying to agree on what they want from you, and then won’t make a final decision.

Don’t waste your time on them.

2. If you decide to stay, watch their hands!

When there’s no real CEO, they try to find someone to take this burden off their shoulders.

But they won’t delegate authority to this person.

You'll probably be expected to solve all the problems in this business... with no control.

3. Try to find out who can be in charge.

Look for someone who’s less likely to blame the neighbor, who can make and defend decisions, and who can take over responsibility for those decisions and their execution.

Talk to that person and help them control others.

4. Bump their heads against each other and help them start talking.

This trio frequently lacks systemic communication.

First, make them spit out all the complaints they’ve accumulated.

Then they have a chance to start hearing each other, with some help from you.

5. Don't be afraid to put them into conflict and come into conflict yourself.

Often, this is the only way to divide this team into independent persons and get them to move forward.

To take responsibility, all founders must first go through a conflict.

If you get to the last point and there is no solution, go back to step 1 and strictly follow the guide!

Follow these 5 steps if you have three or more founders facing you in a meeting.

And keep in mind that running can be a really good strategy at times.