465: Founders Syndrome with Luke John Mickelson

Show Notes Founders who build a nonprofit from the ground up often find that their identity and the organization have become the same thing. The founders who handle growth well learn to name what they are feeling when they hand off roles, and they choose a new role on purpose. Sarah invited Luke John Mickelson, who built one bunk bed in his garage in 2012 and grew it into Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit with more than 400 chapters across 47 states and four countries, to unpack what founder syndrome feels like from the inside and how founders and the people around them can move through it. In This Episode, You’ll Learn How one bunk bed for a six-year-old named Haley became a national movement. Why each role a founder hands off can feel like losing part of themselves. What Luke means by a relevance wound, and the comment that nearly made him quit. How Luke's five steps help founders pause, name a new role, and plan their legacy. What boards and executive directors can do to give a founder grace during a transition. Who This Episode Is For Nonprofit founders who want to hand off roles without feeling pushed out. Executive directors who took over from a founder and want to keep that relationship strong. Board members who want to support a founder through a leadership transition. Founders of any organization who are stepping back and want to stay connected to what they started. Links from this episode Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter: weekly tips for leading your nonprofit. Sleep in Heavenly Peace Luke Mickelson's website Luke Mickelson on LinkedIn Luke Mickelson on Instagram Free founder syndrome assessment at LukeMickelson.com Founder's Syndrome Survival coaching and courses Book a free discovery call with Luke The Leadership Evolution Podcast Sarah Olivieri's website Sarah Olivieri's Substack publication Thank you to Donorbox Thank you to Donorbox for sponsoring Inspired Nonprofit Leadership. We appreciate your support for the show and the nonprofit leaders who listen. Follow Donorbox on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.