Government pressure on companies can lead to severe consequences, and CEOs often find themselves under intense scrutiny from multiple fronts.

Screwing up with investors' money can have permanent consequences, including a negative public record that can follow a founder for life.

If investors are dictating actions to a founder, it indicates a deeper problem within the company structure that needs to be addressed.

I was forced out as CEO after a period of rapid growth, which was influenced by market changes and compliance issues that made investors nervous. David, the CEO, focused on attacking me for six months, which ultimately drove the company into the ground.

When I became CEO, the dotcom bubble was bursting, antitrust issues dominated the company's culture, and we faced a significant accounting headache that affected profitability.

As a CEO, you are ultimately responsible for the company's performance; if the product isn't selling, it's your problem, not the board's.

Going public is awful; it consumes a significant amount of your time and diverts focus from building a great company.

Getting to the truth is crucial for CEOs, but it's often scary. Many CEOs see problems but hesitate to confront them, hoping they will go away instead of addressing them directly.

It's crucial to consider the reputational impact on your company when terminating an employee, especially regarding their ability to exercise stock options and the fairness of the process.