> Why is it acceptable for the Founder/CEO to continue leading the company at 40+ employees but not acceptable for the engineer to lead an engineering team at 40+ employees? Seems like a double standard.
It is a double standard, but however it's hardly that cut and dry.
Post Series B, if the board does not believe the current Founder/CEO can take the company to the next milestones of growth, they will replace them.
Typically engineering teams need to scale sooner, so you you see a more experienced manager be brought in before the CEO is considered for replacing.
The CEO may also has the additional benefit of having the investors and board help him or her in their decisions.
It is a double standard, but however it's hardly that cut and dry.
Post Series B, if the board does not believe the current Founder/CEO can take the company to the next milestones of growth, they will replace them.
Typically engineering teams need to scale sooner, so you you see a more experienced manager be brought in before the CEO is considered for replacing.
The CEO may also has the additional benefit of having the investors and board help him or her in their decisions.