Founding Leaders' Philantropic Transition Framework: Leadership Journey from Business to (Full-time) Philantropy

Abstract

This article presents the Founding Leaders’ Philanthropic Transition Framework (FLPTF), a novel model examining founding leaders’ transition from business to philanthropy. Rooted in ontological principles and leadership theories, the FLPTF explores shifts in leadership styles and organizational dynamics. The article identifies a gap in the existing literature, highlighting the need for comprehensive analyses of these transitions, and offers a theoretical model. The model’s dimensions, built on cognitive and behavioral aspects, allow for a thorough exploration of leadership styles as they unfold and develop through the leadership journey of company founders. The FLPTF serves as a theoretical guide and pragmatic tool, anticipating challenges and opportunities during the transition process for potential cases, which are named in the article. It paves the way for deeper investigation into leadership evolution shifts when founding leaders transition from business to full‐time philanthropy.