Episode 10 - Founders Keepers – Why Founders Are Built to Fail, and What It Takes to Succeed

In this episode, Hugh Massie interviews Rich Hagberg, psychologist, long-time leadership researcher, and author of Founders Keepers. Rich shares deep insights gathered from decades of working with founders and executives, using psychological data, 360 assessments, and global leadership research to uncover why so many founders struggle as their companies grow.Rich explains that while founders are creative, independent, and visionary, they often lack the emotional intelligence, structure, and collaborative skills needed to scale a business. He highlights adaptability as the strongest predictor of founder success, followed by the ability to work through others and the willingness to establish systems and processes. Rich also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, resilience, and mission-driven leadership—traits that separate high-performing founders from those who burn out. His upcoming book explores the founder’s inner journey and the personal growth required at every stage of building a company.

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