By Alexandru Stan, Serial Entrepreneur, CEO of tekpona one stop platform for all software needs & SaaSfluencer.
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How many times have you heard managers or CEOs say they know what their people need and what drives them to be productive? I bet thousands of times. But the truth is, they probably don’t. Instead, they think they know what’s best for them, but they never listen and manage to read between the lines. And it’s even harder if you build from the bottom up.
That’s why, from what I’ve seen, most startups fail before their second year. Not because of their product, market or lack of money, but because the team is so tired that they can no longer work. But you can avoid this kind of situation if you pay attention to a few small details.
Let them choose their office.
Now, more than ever, remote working is a reality, and we can’t deny that most people are more than happy to embrace this type of work. So let them choose their office. If your team or team members are more productive in a bar, their own house, a yard or even a park, let them be their time managers and trust them. This is such an important aspect.
Other team members may prefer to be in the office and socialize while on the job. That’s good too. Just being in the office might work better for them. People are different and if you want to succeed you have to accept everyone’s way of being.
Unfortunately, remote working has divided businesses and people. Hybrid, office, home, nomads: just support every member of your team in their decision. Of course, if you don’t like their results, you should talk and find out where the problem is.
Don’t hesitate to use the right tools.
Software makes our lives easier. In recent years, the software industry has helped us improve certain aspects of our work, business, and even our private lives. Especially if you’re working remotely as a team, the right tools can be life-saving and money-saving!
You’ll have plenty of ideas as you go through the startup phase—sometimes so many that your team will go crazy. I recommend using a project management tool that allows your team to see the big picture and also see ongoing projects, future ideas, and daily tasks.
A tool like this can help any employee get to know their department better, analyze their work and take pride in what they accomplish every day. And you, as CEO, can write any crazy idea that comes to mind, because then you have the perfect playground.
Apart from the management, it would be best to use a tool that can automate the work and keep the mind fresh. Don’t let your people get lost in repetitive tasks when you can spare their minds for more creative tasks or personal growth and be part of that 25% of teams that succeed.
Encourage them to follow their passions.
Let’s be honest. You don’t want a team of robots. To succeed as a CEO, you need a team of people with their own personalities, hobbies and passions. You have to understand that their life is not the startup as it is for you. Moreover, work is not everything in life. So if you want your team to succeed, you need to let them express their passions. This can help keep their minds healthy and their minds more creative, and you won’t be in that 75% fail.
And who wouldn’t want a team where people have different hobbies that can help them become a better version of themselves?
A work-life balance is what most people want. If you make that possible, all parties involved will benefit. It’s not always about numbers, companies, money, sales and marketing. Failure does not always stem from business problems or product-market fit. You will find a solution for that. Failure comes from above, not below. Failure comes when you don’t listen to your team or their needs, or they don’t work together as you would like. Most of these startups are just a few ideas because they want it fast, with low costs and too much work.
Always remember that Rome was not built in a day. And neither are top startups. Think like a human first, then act like a CEO. People will follow the person, not the position.
