[bedhead]

Easy solution:

1) Be a good CEO 2) Don’t take on questionable board members. 3) Don’t take on questionable equity partners.

I don’t think this is easier said than done, just takes some discipline.

[snapcaster]

1). Not actionable or even well defined 2). Not actionable, doesn't appreciate that questionable people won't present themselves as questionable in all cases or be easily detectable 3). Same thing

[danielvaughn]

It's virtually impossible to determine whether someone will be a good board member or equity partner. You can try your best, and some methods are undoubtedly better than others, but some people are just very good at lying.

[yowlingcat]

It's not virtually impossible. Whether it is possible or not is a function of that founder's relationships and information networks. If a founder is lacking in those categories, then yes, the deck is stacked against them.

[bedhead]

And yet, many people do it every year, over and over again, like magic.

[nashashmi]

> just takes some discipline

Step 0. Be committed to the principles even in the face of adversity and challenges when meeting goals, aka Don't cheat the rules to meet your goals.

Step 0 is very very hard to do. When shit hits the fan, the shoulders drop and tummy swirls and the only thing left are the bones that make you the person you are. Your biggest challenges will be to be a "professional" for the job you took.

[anonreeeeplor]

The human race works differently than you may expect.