--- title: "Daily Buzz: Are You Suffering From Founder’s Syndrome?" id: "48577" type: "post" slug: "daily-buzz-are-you-suffering-from-founders-syndrome" published_at: "2019-11-14T21:41:56+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-17T02:29:49+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2019/11/14/daily-buzz-are-you-suffering-from-founders-syndrome/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2019/11/14/daily-buzz-are-you-suffering-from-founders-syndrome.md" excerpt: "Micromanaging, lack of transparency, sticking to the status quo—when leaders embody these principles, nonprofits can’t grow. Also: When it comes to microcredentialing, put learners first." taxonomy_category: - "Learning" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "E-learning" - "Education Law" - "Leadership" - "microcredentials" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Daily Buzz: Are You Suffering From Founder’s Syndrome? You’ve done the hard work: You started a nonprofit. But as the organization moves on from its small beginnings, it’s time to loosen your grip—or face the risk of Founder’s Syndrome. “As nonprofits develop from start-up to adolescent, many founders continue in their initial leadership role, preventing innovation and new ideas from emerging,” [says Karolyn Benger on Blue Avocado (opens in a new tab)](https://blueavocado.org/leadership-and-management/how-to-cure-founders-syndrome/) . “Their strong voice stifles others, and they claim to be the only one who really knows what’s right for the organization, making key decisions behind closed doors.” Sound familiar? If so, you, or the organization you work for, is likely suffering from Founder’s Syndrome, which Benger says can be devastating for increased success and growth. To beat out Founder’s Syndrome and promote a healthy future, Benger says nonprofits need to develop a culture of exploration and collaboration, where every team member feels empowered. “Nonprofits are about people—their needs and feelings—and everyone wants to feel valued and heard,” she says. “Organizations that cultivate an environment of open expression benefit from innovation and the vibrancy of fresh ideas.” ### Put Learners First to Build Credibility > As the microcredential market booms, don’t forget the learner. (by [@EdSurge (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/EdSurge?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > ) [https://t.co/ZXIm87LSxZ (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/ZXIm87LSxZ) > [#assnchat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#microcredentials (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/microcredentials?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#credentialing (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/credentialing?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/zMaZAfAyOo (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/zMaZAfAyOo) > > — TopClass LMS (@TopClassLMS) [November 13, 2019 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/TopClassLMS/status/1194693943918772224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Microcredentialing can seem like a shortcut**—a way to get around the more extensive training that can come with a standard credentialing or certification program. But it can also provide a more affordable and portable way for people to achieve further education, [says Kathleen deLaski on EdSurge (opens in a new tab)](https://www.edsurge.com/news/2019-10-31-as-the-microcredential-market-booms-don-t-forget-the-learner) . The only question: Will learners actually trust it? “The simple answer: only if we intentionally focus on designing around that question,” deLaski says. That means creating an accessible, transparent taxonomy to help learners, and their employers, navigate what deLaski calls the “sea of new credentials,” as well as tools that “allow learners to visualize the relationships between skills, career pathways, and salary opportunities.” ### Other Links of Note **How you define success** has a big impact on your business, [according to new research from Gallup (opens in a new tab)](https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/266927/americans-perceptions-success.aspx) . [Inc. explains the findings (opens in a new tab)](https://www.inc.com/steve-farber/how-do-you-define-success-how-you-do-impacts-you-in-a-big-way-gallup-poll-says.html?icid=hmhero) . **Great photography is a must.** *Nonprofit Marketing Guide* shares [where to find the best stock images (opens in a new tab)](https://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog/2019/11/13/six-inclusive-stock-photography-sites-every-nonprofit-should-have-bookmarked/) . **Looking to boost meeting attendance?** The Wild Apricot blog shares [six strategies to start on today (opens in a new tab)](https://www.wildapricot.com/blogs/newsblog/2019/11/14/event-attendance) . (tadamichi/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Jeff Hsin](https://associationsnow.com/author/jeff-hsin/) [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/jeff-hsin/) Tags: [#E-learning](https://associationsnow.com/tag/e-learning/) [#Education Law](https://associationsnow.com/tag/education-law/) [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) [#microcredentials](https://associationsnow.com/tag/microcredentials/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoAmerican College of Emergency Physicians: ACEP Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation ProgramSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-college-of-emergency-physicians-acep-geriatric-emergency-department-accreditation-program/) - [PodcastWhy Associations Must Rethink Learning and Community TogetherMarch 26, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/03/26/why-associations-must-rethink-learning-and-community-together/) - [PodcastWhy AI Certification Matters for Association LeadersFebruary 26, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/02/26/why-ai-certification-matters-for-association-leaders/) - [ArticleAdvance Reading for #ASAE22August 18, 2022](https://associationsnow.com/2022/08/18/advance-reading-for-asae22/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2019%2F11%2F14%2Fdaily-buzz-are-you-suffering-from-founders-syndrome%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !