A Ghost In The Machine

Founder imprints shape a company's identity, for better or worse. Apple's Steve Jobs created a culture of design excellence, while Amazon's Jeff Bezos fostered innovation.

However, Uber's Travis Kalanick's toxic leadership led to reputational harm. A founder's imprint can impact a company's long-term success.

If you inherit a company with a founder's imprint, be diligent to ensure personal and professional decisions reflect your leadership. Keep the best ideas the founder has given you yet also keep abreast of the times. Remember, it's your life!