Building Winning Startup Teams.
Many successful entrepreneurs won't admit this secret. But I'll let you in on it. There is no such thing as a solo entrepreneur. Nobody who's ever scaled a business from the ground up did it alone.
In fact, left to themselves, they wouldn't have a business. What are some of the key component of leading and coaching a stellar team?
#1. Ensure everyone is on the same page
For a crew team, everyone is in the same boat, rowing in the same direction, except for the signal caller, who is looking forward. That person is the guide. He or she sets the direction and course-corrects, if necessary. If only all companies worked like this! I've seen some companies where people acted like they were in their own boats, doing their own thing, thinking about separate ideas. I've also seen people working very hard, but they didn't have a plan or a clear idea of where they were going. Rowing the wrong way can be as much of a problem with leadership as it can be with the team.
#2. Don't build a team for a startup
Isn't what this entire article is about? While it's true that many businesses don't make it past that initial phase, that's not what you want your trajectory to be. You can have a business that remains viable for years to come. But, it's important that you build a team for the long term. What exactly does this mean? Build your team with the entire organization's structure in mind. Consider the long-term vision for your business. This exercise is simply about mapping the architecture of your business. Bear in mind that you don't need a team member to represent every possible function. At least, not in the beginning. Think about the functions that are necessary to give life to a minimally viable version of your business.
#3. Personalities matter
A sure fire way to sink your startup is to hire team members who don't get along. Constant friction will get in the way of the work that needs to be done. I'm not saying that a particular personality trait should be a qualifying factor to join your team. In fact, you want a diverse group. But you should get to your team. But it's not just about building a team that will work well together. That's a big part of it, but there are some other crucial things to consider.
#4. Go scouting
In a startup, you need to decide early on what culture you want to have. You have to define roles and responsibilities, as well as the right skills and abilities that fit those roles and responsibilities, as well as the right skills and other abilities that fit those roles. Then hire for talent and fit. Find people who are smarter than you, especially in their area of specialization. Scout. Go to tradeshows and universities. Network. Then turn on the charm. Sell them on your idea. The best and brightest are going to be attracted because it is a good idea, you are passionate about it, and you can clearly articulate how things are going to go.
Final Thoughts...
A great company starts with a good team. You need to attract the best players with your vision and have them work together towards a common goal to win. As a leader, you need to aim high, inspire them and make them understand how their their contribution fits into the big picture.
This are just but a few points. Feel free to add more points on the comment section.
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