Bouncing off this comment with an example from the last job I worked at (a startup).
> Do I trust the founders?
At first, I did because I was too green about small businesses. I thought the worst they could do was pay me lower wages. Oh, boy, was I wrong. Not only did I get 1099'd, but also had my hours and wages cut two months in. (The 1099 was resolved, though, thanks to the IRS's contest process.)
> Can I have healthy debate with the founders?
I found out after joining that the founders were married. So no to this one.
> Will my feedback be considered by the founders?
It was, but then promptly discarded since the founders lied about their technical skills (they knew enough to sell tech but not to build it). So everything was a game of "why can't you just drag/drop this X thing like we can in Photoshop".
> Am I compatible with the founders?
One of the founders sold me on the fact that he played guitar. But then I found out that they blasted the office with very light AM classical music for the whole day. So nope, not compatible.
> Are the founders compatible with each other?
They were married, so no.
> Are they able to work together constructively?
See the above comment.
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Anyways, my experience is only anecdotal. But yeah, really dive into the founder's dynamics to see if you can tolerate them or not before accepting a job.
> Do I trust the founders?
At first, I did because I was too green about small businesses. I thought the worst they could do was pay me lower wages. Oh, boy, was I wrong. Not only did I get 1099'd, but also had my hours and wages cut two months in. (The 1099 was resolved, though, thanks to the IRS's contest process.)
> Can I have healthy debate with the founders?
I found out after joining that the founders were married. So no to this one.
> Will my feedback be considered by the founders?
It was, but then promptly discarded since the founders lied about their technical skills (they knew enough to sell tech but not to build it). So everything was a game of "why can't you just drag/drop this X thing like we can in Photoshop".
> Am I compatible with the founders?
One of the founders sold me on the fact that he played guitar. But then I found out that they blasted the office with very light AM classical music for the whole day. So nope, not compatible.
> Are the founders compatible with each other?
They were married, so no.
> Are they able to work together constructively?
See the above comment.
------
Anyways, my experience is only anecdotal. But yeah, really dive into the founder's dynamics to see if you can tolerate them or not before accepting a job.