Dictionary

founder mode en · NOUN

Etymology

Coined by English-American programmer, venture capitalist, and essayist Paul Graham, in an essay where he described a leadership style characterized by a hands-on, deeply involved approach to running a company, in 2024.

Meanings

1. (neologism) A management style where the founder of a company is involved in all aspects of the business, rather than delegating responsibilities to managers.
   • The battle over “founder mode” versus “manager mode” is one of those manufactured dramas that only a small segment of the world cares about — like going to Davos or Cannes or the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. 2024 September 11, Allison Morrow, “‘Founder mode’ is the latest Silicon Valley buzzword telling toxic bosses they’re greatThe King of the Geezer Teasers”, in CNN:
   • “Satya [Nadella] is in ‘founder mode’,” said Doc Templeton, deputy chief technology officer of Microsoft, referring to the hands-on leadership style described by Paul Graham, an influential Silicon Valley investor. 2026 January 3, “Nadella pulls out all the stops to keep Microsoft ahead in AI race”, in FT Weekend, London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 10:

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