CEO vs Founder vs Owner vs President

As businesses grow, their leadership structures can become more complex. There are various titles and roles that can be used to describe the individuals who lead organizations, and sometimes these titles can be confusing or overlap. Let us understand the key differences between the four leadership positions: CEO, founder, owner, and president.

Overview

Before we dive into the differences between these positions, it’s important to define each one:

CEO (Chief Executive Officer): The person in this position is considered the top executive in charge of a company’s or organization’s overall management. They are part of the C-suite of the company. The CEO reports to the board of directors and is typically responsible for setting the strategic direction and acting as the main decision-maker for the company.

Founder: The individual or group of individuals who started a company are considered the founders. This is the person who built the company from the ground up. The founders may or may not continue to be involved in the company’s management as it grows, but they certainly are considered the driving force of the company.

Owner: An owner is the individual or group of individuals who own a company. The term “owner” has  a humble undertone, hence it is often used in small companies or by solo entrepreneurs. The owner, although an important figure in the company, does not have the same authority as the CEO or the president.

President: A president is the head of a company but is not in the C-suite. This title originates from politics, giving it a sense of authority, power, and respect. This executive is responsible for the day-to-day management of a company or organization. The president may report to the CEO or the board of directors, depending on the company’s structure.

CEO vs Founder vs Owner vs President: Roles and Responsibilities

Let us take a look at the roles and responsibilities of these positions.

CEO role and responsibilities

• Building and leading a strong executive team
• Developing and implementing the company’s business plan
• Ensuring the company’s financial stability
• Representing the company to the public, media, and investors

Founder role and responsibilities

• Developing the original concept for the company
• Creating the company’s culture and values
• Recruiting the company’s initial team
• Raising funds and securing initial investment

Owner role and responsibilities

• Approving major strategic decisions
• Ensuring the company’s financial stability
• Selecting and overseeing the board of directors

President role and responsibilities

• Implementing the company’s business plan
• Ensuring the company’s financial stability
• Overseeing the company’s operations, including sales, marketing, and production
• Building and leading a strong management team
• Ensuring the company complies with legal and regulatory requirements

As mentioned above, there are several overlaps among the responsibilities of these positions. Let us understand which of the responsibilities a person in these positions definitely has to undertake and which of the responsibilities they can delegate.

Responsibility	CEO	Founder	Owner	President
Strategic direction	Responsible	May be involved	May be involved	May implement
Day-to-day management	May delegate	May delegate	May delegate	Responsible
Financial management	Responsible	May be involved	May be involved	May implement
Hiring and firing	May delegate	May delegate	May delegate	Responsible
Public relations	May delegate	May delegate	May delegate	Responsible
Legal compliance	Responsible	May be involved	May be involved	May implement

Education

As you can see earlier, there are overlaps in the responsibilities of the positions. There are executive education programs that would help prepare you to undertake these responsibilities. Here is a description of some great executive education programs.

Berkeley Executive Program in Management (Berkeley EPM)

The Berkeley Executive Program in Management (Berkeley EPM) is a general management program that prepares you for the next level of leadership. This program is created in such a way that it helps transform proven leaders into global executives ready to lead the charge. The Berkeley Executive Program in Management encourages its participants to reflect, enhance strategic thinking, and develop authentic leadership. It is designed to create an immersive, relevant, and dynamic learning experience for senior executives, ready for the next level of the leadership challenge. It includes modules on advanced management competencies, leading innovative change, etc., which are a must for a person in C-level positions to ensure the growth of the company.

MIT Professional Education Technology Leadership Program (TLP)

This is a multi-modular program delivered by MIT faculty on campus and virtually, geared towards the development needs of the next generation of technology CEOs, CTOs, CIOs, and emerging leaders.  The program is designed for technology leaders and experienced practitioners from large corporations as well as startups—innovation-oriented firms that are focusing on leveraging emerging digital technologies to remain relevant and competitive in the marketplace. After completing TLP, you will be part of a cohort of global leaders and practitioners. You will also become an integral part of the global MIT Professional Education network and will be considered an alumni of TLP as well as MIT Professional Education.

UCLA Post Graduate Program in Management for Executives (UCLA PGPX)

It is an extensive general management program offered by the UCLA Anderson School of Management, one of the world’s top business schools. It is a part-time program with a modular format that provides great flexibility for busy professionals, while the UCLA faculty and industry leaders ensure that the program covers all aspects of best-in-class management education expected from a highly respected and globally renowned institution. The UCLA PGPX will put you on the map of global leadership with a combination of strategies, skills, and acumen that will stretch your thinking and hone your abilities as a leader and manager capable of achieving remarkable growth in your business. This program has been designed to expose the participants to management and business leadership essentials in an extensive general management curriculum that is designed to be experiential in learning and applied in focus.

Chicago Booth Accelerated Development Program (ADP)

The Chicago Booth ADP is a rigorous learning journey across 8 modules spread over 9 months and gives you access to the latest management thinking and tools. It is taught by an award-winning faculty at the Chicago Booth School of Business and accomplished senior business leaders. It creates an amazing opportunity to build a strong personal brand and competitively position yourself and your organization. ADP actively engages you in a collaborative learning environment with accomplished peers in . The Chicago Booth Accelerated Development Program is designed for the global executive with a focus on delivering impact and leveraging the significant history of the Accelerated Development Program delivered across the globe, including London and India. The program is tailored for the busy schedules of senior professionals and is blended in design, with academic on-campus modules and off-campus experiences with online learning and live interactions to complement the on-campus experiences. You will build a global community of like-minded leaders and will become part of the Global ADP Network for life.

Summary

In conclusion, the roles and responsibilities of CEOs, founders, owners, and presidents can be complex and overlapping. However, understanding the differences between these positions is important for anyone involved in a company’s leadership or management. No matter which position you hold, it’s important to understand the responsibilities that come with it and to work together with other members of the leadership team to achieve the company’s goals. By doing so, you can help ensure the long-term success of the company and everyone involved in it.