As much as I like your approach, I have this feeling that not everything is butterflies and unicorns. Sometimes, you have to find a way, and the way is clearly

As much as I like your approach, I have this feeling that not everything is butterflies and unicorns. Sometimes, you have to find a way, and the way is clearly a "split-up". However, I dob't agree with Fred's either. This kind of things is something that should be prepared: founding and growing a business are not the same thing. I think it's very important to have this kind of discussion with other co-founders in the very early days : what are everybody's limits : do we all agree that at some point we may have to step down from our roles and let someone more experienced/appropriate lead whatever we're working on. This doesn't mean we have to leave the company, but maybe find a role that fits us more. Look at GOOG. Larry and Sergey didn't quit, they just put the best person in their shoes and took on something they could do better. I trust that everybody knows their limits, and don't enjoy working 'in the red zone' forever. It just has to be very clear for all the co-founders what these limits exists, and that at some point, co-founders may not be the most appropriate person to run whatever they run.