How do you deal with a toxic co-founder?

3 points by whorat 8y ago ↗ HN

I'm working with a company with two co-founders and an interim CEO. One co-founder brings funding, the other has developed the IP which the company has patented.

I’ve been contracted to document the company’s SOPs, as the co-founder that developed the IP has been in a feud with the other, and as I’m now learning is a truly toxic individual. During the process, he failed to offer any help when asked by the CEO, provided half baked formulations to work from, has sent us down blind alleys, and provided contradictory information when asked for clarification. The company is doing everything it can to be successful working around the toxic founder, and the guy seems hell bent on sabotaging that success.

What advice would you offer in a situation like this?

4 comments

[ 3.1 ms ] story [ 18.7 ms ] thread

kp1 8y ago ↗

Start looking for a new gig. Get your money, and leave asap!

dman 8y ago ↗

Is it possible that the person in question believes that they are being sidelined / pushed out?

whorat 8y ago ↗

He is most definitely being sidelined, not pushed out. The other founder would be happy if the guy just stays out of the way and allows the company to do business and has told him as much. However, he had failed to do the SOPs for 18 months before they brought me on.

raarts 8y ago ↗

Funny thing is, I've been in the reverse situation where I was the technical guy, but the other guy was the toxic one. So I may be biased.

Why is the 'toxic' guy showing this behaviour? That question has not been answered but I'm sure there is an underlying reason. And my advice is to go find this answer.

The rest may follow from there.