[waynr]

> You have only heard one side of the story.

Yep. I don't need to hear the side of the story of the people who devalued the hard work of others within their org for their own personal gain.

The only side of the story I need to hear is the side of the CO-founder who was only given 15% stake in the company to begin with so that they could never protect themselves from the clearly Machiavellian CEO.

CEOs in general, tend to be charismatic. They tend to be storytellers. That's often the reason they are chosen for their role; it's often their only real skill -- the ability to develop and push narrative.

In my view, I am better off not hearing the CEO's side of the story. Because I, like many people of average or below intelligence, am unlikely to be able to see through the lies in their narrative. Regardless of what's true, I would probably be convinced by whatever they say.

I have personal experience being fooled by charismatic people. The only side of the story I need to hear is the side of the person who was duped.

> And there's no way to tell what's true.

15% stake for a co-founder who clearly didn't understand the stakes (pun intended) involved in taking such a low equity share clearly points out where the evil lies here.

[thewinnie]

But why you completely dropping the idea that CTO drove company to the bankruptcy? you can work really hard but if you don't have required skills to do the job it does not metter how much you work.

And OP admited he never worked with hardware before

[fallingknife]

People who think they don't need to hear both sides of the story are why Machiavellian CEOs are successful in the first place. If people withheld judgment and investigated for themselves their tactics won't work.