Analysis
Founder Behavior Diagnostic for a Burnt-Out SaaS CEO
Overview
What this challenge is about.
Conduct a structured diagnostic of the founder's behavioral patterns, decision-making, and team dynamics, then produce a 90-day intervention plan. You must ground your analysis in entrepreneurship research on founder psychology, dark-side traits, and CEO transitions, citing at least 4 academic or practitioner sources. Constraints: the founder will not accept a recommendation to step down in the next 6 months, the company cannot afford an executive coach above €15K, and any intervention must be compatible with continued bootstrapped operations. Success looks like a confidential memo the board chair can hand to the founder that is honest, actionable, and preserves the founder's agency.
The Brief
What you'll do, and what you'll demonstrate.
What specific behavioral shifts and structural interventions can sustainably restore the founder's effectiveness over 90 days without forcing a CEO transition?
Earning criteria — what you'll demonstrate
- Critically apply theories of entrepreneurial behavior and founder psychology
- Diagnose dysfunctional founder patterns using qualitative evidence
- Design behavioral interventions that respect founder agency and venture stage
- Communicate sensitive findings with rigor appropriate to a board context
Program Fit
Where this fits in your program.
Sharpens the same skills your degree expects you to demonstrate.
Skills
Skills you'll demonstrate.
Each one shows up on your verified credential.
Careers
Roles this prepares you for.
Real titles. Real skill bridges. Pick the one closest to your trajectory.
Career mappings coming soon.