My co-founder (the CTO) started out strong during our first two years. Then he started backing away despite being still needed. He is almost completely absent now. When he’s not on vacation, which is often, then he might spend half an hour a day answering messages. I’ve spoken about it to him many times and he just gets defensive about doing work I don’t see. How do you deal with an absent co-founder?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

A lot of what a CTO does _isn't_ seen, so that's what you now need to verify. Is he strengthening the infrastructure? Building out a plan to scale? Fixing bugs? Writing documentation? Explain you _want_ to understand the value he's contributing.

...but in all honesty, a solid CTO would be bombarding you with this information already; they would be over communicating to the point that their value was never in question. If you're begging for that info, sounds like a new comm strategy is in order.

...and if it isn't, send me a DM, and I'd be happy to give you a few more options on next steps. GL!

Related Posts

Really crushing on a Partner that I’ve been working with closely on an internal project… there have definitely been flirty vibes. I’m willing to leave the firm to be with him. Any advice on what I should do?

like

Hello fishes 🐠🐋🐟,

Please help me out here.... Your input will be really great.

I have herd that currently most of the companies are in hiring freeze. (Holiday season, recession or layoffs).

I am trying to apply job for many companies since last month, and i haven't got any response from any of them.

Are there any Organizations still out there who are hiring/open for referral and are in position to handle recession.

Please comment your thoughts. It might make someone's day.

Thanks.

like

Spent my first day of PTO trying to get a PS5. In the end I emerged triumphant!

like

Anyone else feel like family law is toxic and detrimental to the attorney’s health/quality of life? My client was served w/ an order of protection against her—her ex is abusive and is gearing up for a custody battle. Of course the OP was filled with outrageous lies. My home-office phone and cell were ringing from 9:00pm- 12 am after she was served…..I am in my first trimester of pregnancy with my 2nd kid and suddenly feel like I don’t want to/cannot handle this type of toxicity.…continued….

like

Hi guys,

Anyone working in TCS, please respond.

Could you please reply with the Holiday list for Oct 2022. Especially in Kerala

like

Just wanted to say, I posted in here about wanting feedback on my book and also about a mentor I can ask questions to bc I don’t have any female creative leadership at my agency. Con’t...

likeuplifting

Hi everyone! How did you discuss with your boss all the time you’d be needing to take off for appointments? My boss absolutely hates when people take time off. Company policy is at least a week ahead of time - she says she needs at least 2. Also when someone requests off a couple days in March then a couple days in April for example, she gets annoyed and says they are requesting too much time (even if they have plenty of PTO available).

like

Tell me if this is selfish or not. I adore my family, but since they're doing a very lowkey Christmas situation this year, I really would rather take a weeks vacation on my own. Obviously the holidays are about spending time with those you love, but I'm tired! And I see my entire family at least once a month for a group dinner. Am I a bad daughter/sister if I choose vacation this one time?

like

Any good books or suggestions to improve communication skills to speak confidently with executive or leadership. Many times I end up blabbering and having unstructured discussion.

like

How my holiday “break” went : RFI issued on December 22. Submission on the 26. Pitch on January 3. 😐

like

When opposing Counsel sends a draft at 8 pm and you senior needs it by the morning for a client call

Post Photo
likefunny

Would you wear a suit for an interview for a tech company(uber, netflix, snap)? Usually I wouldn't but this is for a finance/corp dev position so not sure if it's any different

like

Random question kind of curious about:

For your firm, how dressed up do you typically find yourself on client site in FED? Current project I have to wear a full suit and tie everyday, is this normal?

like

Any free events happening in DFW this holiday weekend?

like

We're partnering with the local Fire Department to host a First Responders Trunk or Treat, the theme is Holiday Safety. Any decorating suggestions or tips? I'm not that creative

Cape cod find on vacation for $65. Also passed up on larceny BP, knob creek 15, blackened x willett, and eagle rare

Post Photo
like

Quick people who work at social media agencies: how long should I tell a client a client social posts will take? Is .5 hour per post for 21 posts too much?

like

Hi
Do IQVIA have floater holidays or does it have rakhi holiday

like

Would you feel comfortable telling HR that your service line’s culture sucks and name the individuals who cause it? Or is a better approach saying it’s the leadership in general creating a negative and toxic culture? How effective are these conversations really? Trying to assess if there’s any point in bringing this up. Obviously HR works for the company and an employee sharing their thoughts on the unsupportive, cold leaders could bite me in the long run.

like

I don’t have much energy to paint these days but knocked out a quick abstract during the holiday break. Ignore the messy edges - it was a study but I didn’t get any further on the project.

Post Photo
like

More Posts

How likely is google to change its stance on returning to the office? I’m evaluating 2 offers right now - both are very similar (pay, job function, etc.) except google is in-office. I’m so comfortable at home and can spend more time cooking and exercising when I’m not commuting. Google is obviously a better brand than my other offer, but I’m not sure if that is enough to make it worth it.

like

Does anyone have today/Election Day off? Or half-day?

Post Photo
like

What is the average salary range for Senior UX designer with 14 years of design domain experience and 4 years for UX experience in Vancouver, Canada?

like

Hi guys,

I switched 20 days back to Optum. I have 7 years of experience working as a full stack Engineer, who is passionate working on both front end and back end on latest technologies. But my project is working only on back end with 10 years old tech stack. There is no front end work at all. What should I do?
I don't like working here at all, but I am not sure whether moving out again in a month will give bad Impression on my resume. Hence please give me advice on this situation

like

Marriott room smells like an ash tray. How many points?

likefunnyuplifting

Coming in as senior associate at a PE firm next month. Too aggressive to discuss carry & coinvestment possibilities first week?

Hi folks. I’m a data scientist at a T2/B4 firm that does fairly technical work. I am prepping for interviews to transition to SWE-data at a big tech company and currently have a little over 1 yoe.

Since prep usually takes a while for swe, I have not started seriously applying. However, I am likely to receive an offer for 110-120k at another consulting firm. I was hoping to get some thoughts from other technical folks that made the transition. More in comments

like

14 years abap experience, which companies to try..?

like

How much hike can we expect for L4 in Amazon this year?

like

Do mid tier firms pay more than B4?

likefunny

Need 11 likes for DM, kindly help

like

What are the perks and benefits offered at Autodesk India, Bangalore office. Do we get free food, outings, hotel stays, coupons, etc.😃

like

Need to get paint scratch fixed on car body. Any cheap options?

Does anyone know the salary range for UK based SVP at Citi?

like

I accidently got dragged into a title debate today!
Way to much ego happened. What do you prefer
to be called?

like

List places who hire fed consultants or share ideas/tips to help others.

like

Can somebody make refferal for PWC advisory role?

like

Does anyone know what license does one need to be a FA in UK?

like

How long does Shell generally take to release offer .


I got call from HR that i got selected and discussion about salary is done.

Will upcoming diwali week delay my offer further?

like

Additional Posts in C-Suite

It's almost as if the C-level pros don't have any interest in anything or anyone outside of work. I know it's their job but wow, could you just stop name-dropping for awhile? Please?

like

How much free time to C-level professionals usually have to enjoy with their families?

like

I’d like to hear some of your latest achievements. Bragging encouraged!

like

Can’t shake the feeling that some of my colleagues became executives through their connections rather than qualifications. I know this is just the way of things sometimes but other departments end up suffering from their incompetence. I’m not sure I can remedy this so I’m thinking of just looking for a job elsewhere…

like

if I’ve been offered to be promoted to a CFO position, should I take it? Pay is the same, and I’m comfortable with where I’m at, but it would look better in my resume.

like

My co-founder (the CEO) is overselling to customers, forcing the team to pause what they are doing and race to create whatever product he invented on the fly. We’re going to rip through funding before we even have a scalable product, yet nothing I’ve said has convinced him to stop. What are my options?

like

According to The Margin, almost 70% of C-suite executives are ‘seriously considering quitting’ for their well-being.

Have you experienced burnout this hard?

like

What is a reasonable amount of equity for a CFO joining a 6-month-old early-stage startup just beginning to generate revenue?

like

The CDO role has such a high turnover. I haven't encountered a chief data officer who has lasted more than two years. Why is that so?

like

Dealing with average or "slightly" above-average managers

Addressing under-performance and super stars is easy to me, what I have really been struggling with is the middle group. They deliver on their job but nothing more.

Have you had success in coaching, motivating or anything else to bring these middle-grounders to the next level?

like

How do you personally measure your success as a CEO?

like

Would you suggest a high school student with co-founding dreams get a degree? Or go straight into real-world experience?

like

I just interviewed for a CFO position at a startup with a non-technical CTO. It seems he delegates most tech decisions to the tech lead and doesn’t fully understand the product himself. How big of a red flag is this?

like

What’s the craziest thing you’ve witnessed from one of your executive colleagues?

like

Our company recently hit the million dollars in revenue milestone, any tips on taking our venture to the next level?

like

Not sure what I thought this job would be like but I had no idea how stressful it would get, and I have a hard time letting things go when I'm off the clock so it's even worse

like

Has anyone been an officer in Europe? Germany specifically? I’ve been offered a CEO position for a startup. Wondering if the fiduciary responsibility is significantly different than in the US. Bonus- can anyone refer an Atty with this knowledge?

like

Do you think it's moral for top executives to make decisions about their own pay increases?

like

What role did mentorship play in your path to the C-Suite?

like

Hi fishes, I need advice. So I own a medium-sized business here in Ohio. The COVID-19 pandemic severely hit us and its economic impact shed light on just how financially fragile the company currently is. How did your company adjust to the economic disruptions? In what ways are you preparing your company to survive and thrive through the next economic downturn?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal