Owner and employee rules: accountability applies to everyone

Executive overview

Owners often assume their ownership entitles them to a role in the business. It doesn't. Owners are entitled to profit share and input on major decisions — nothing more.

When an owner fills a seat, they are subject to the same accountability as any hire. Playing the owner card destroys the integrity of the whole structure.

Ownership does not grant the right to a role — only the right person earns the seat.

What owners are entitled to

• Share of profits, divided as agreed
• Input on major, owner-level decisions only
• No automatic right to any operational role

When owners work in the business

• Must be the right person for the right seat — same bar as any external hire
• Held fully accountable for their role, like everyone else
• Must model the behaviour they expect from other employees
• Cannot play the owner card to avoid responsibilities
• Can be fired for underperformance, same as any employee