>Now I'm off to start a new venture as a solo entrepreneur. The only truly successful technical leader is the founder, and that feels right. My last day at my d

>Now I'm off to start a new venture as a solo entrepreneur. The only truly successful technical leader is the founder, and that feels right. My last day at my day job is June 30th. :) Good move. All the best. I totally agree with this statement. For a technical person to become the founder gives the most amount of freedom. I have personally experienced this in my career. Working for corporates, I was often the tech lead of a project, with somebody else to manage the team, and particularly in Indian culture manager role assumes a relatively powerful role, and the tech person, is often frustrated. Even though you may feel, that it will be better off playing both roles, by oneself. On this last point, I feel several tech people, although very able, often lack the confidence to play managerial roles. Have seen a friend who is CTO and very good, playing subordinate to his co-founder who is CEO. I feel he can play both roles, by himself and do it better. But can't help it, if he himself doesn't feel that way. So, if you are feeling frustrated as a CTO, and want to have freedom while being able to get your hands dirty (programming, I mean). Being a founder, or even an equal co-founder should serve you well. If you can make it sustainable, nothing like it. If you can make it sustainable, there is this risk of complacency. You may be too satisfied with just a lifestyle business. But that's another struggle & another story!