Tonight, my parents and I went out for dinner, and our conversation turned to an interesting topic: why do the standards of many organizations seem to decline as they grow?

When an organization first starts, it’s often at its best. The founders are fully involved, pouring their heart and soul into every detail. Naturally, no one cares more about the mission than they do. But as the organization grows, new people join — and not everyone is there because they believe in the mission. Many are just looking for a paycheck or career advancement, and that’s where the problem starts.

How do founders ensure that the culture and standards they care so much about endure as the organization scales?

This is a question I find myself needing to answer sooner rather than later.