I have recently taken over a successful entrepreneurial company as
CEO. We have 70 staff and offices worldwide. The founder of the
business has stepped up to the Non exec Chairman role and is having
problems transitioning into the role. I was interested to hear some
viewpoints on how people feel the roles should be split. The Chairman
tends to continue to get involved in micro management issues which
clear is a no-no, however although I have outlined a clear delineation
of roles, it might help to get some independent advice from anyone who
has been or seen this situation before. The business is not yet at a
stage where I want to formally appoint a board as although it is
established, I am in the midst of putting a proper management
structure together and I would like that to be in place before I spend
time on corporate governance. We are simply growing too fast and have
too much to do to worry about an independent board. As a result the
board consists currently of the founder, the CTO and myself. The
conflict and tension seems to be between myself and the Non exec
chairman who is struggling to let go. I imagine there is not a
definitive list of who should do what, but it would be good to get
some further guidance on what the CEO should be responsible for and
when should the founder/non exec Chairman get involved.

Many thanks

You have a mega problem.

The founder (who is probably the owner) has given you a job title, and
told you to get things sorted.

Now he is micro managing, and getting on your nerves.

Look at things pragmatically, whoever owns the shares rules the roost.

You've basically got a choice, either you become his servant, or you walk.

Enjoy your paycheck. He is paying you to run the show... the way he
wants it run. Don't take yourself too seriously. He doesn't really
want all the sweeping changes you are capable of. You are a prop for
insiders and outsiders. The titles are meaningless props as well.  It
is his company ergo his voting rights to can your ass. Your happiness
is in his happiness. If he wants you to expend energy on a seemingly
insignificant micro matter he is anal about (probably something he
knows how to do - or some small thing that he can measure the
companies stability or your competency in) then do it. You won't need
to spend time on other things. What you know is important for a
company really is not that important after all. Stick to this simple
formula and you will be on easy street for a long time from now. In
the end he just wants to make more money and feel in control.