When Success Means New Bosses: A Startup Growth Story
Jan 21, 2025
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Kelli and Nolan dive into the intricacies of leadership transitions in fast-growing startups. They highlight the challenges faced by new leaders stepping into roles above existing employees and stress the importance of nurturing current team members. Trust and open communication are paramount during these changes, ensuring respect for early contributors. The hosts also address the delicate balance between hiring externally and valuing internal talent, offering tactical advice and a touch of therapy for navigating the complexities of growth.
The complexities of organizational layering highlight the need for coaching existing employees rather than exclusively relying on external hires.
Maintaining transparency and honoring the contributions of early employees are critical to fostering a supportive and cooperative workplace culture during transitions.
Deep dives
Navigating the Challenges of Layering in Organizations
Layering, or placing a new leader above an existing employee, poses significant challenges in organizations, particularly in startups. When considering whether to layer a current CFO due to their inability to provide necessary strategic support, it is vital to evaluate if they can develop the required skills. Hiring new candidates often comes with risks, as they lack context and established relationships within the company, which can lead to misalignment and misunderstandings. Therefore, making an effort to grow the current employee, potentially with the help of coaching or support from seasoned advisors, is advisable before pursuing external solutions.
The Importance of Honesty and Transparency
Transparency is crucial when navigating delicate situations involving layering, particularly regarding employee relationships. Keeping a CFO in the dark while conducting a confidential search can damage trust and organizational culture, leading to negative outcomes for both the employee and the organization. Open conversations about expectations and deficiencies often foster a more cooperative environment, enabling employees to acknowledge areas for growth. Honoring and respecting contributions while addressing performance issues can lead to a healthier dialogue and improved outcomes for everyone involved.
Celebrating Early Employees and Encouraging Growth
Acknowledging the contributions of early employees is essential in maintaining morale during periods of organizational change. New leaders must remember the efforts of those who helped build the company and provide reassurance by celebrating their achievements and role in the organization's success. Creating a supportive atmosphere encourages interaction and collaboration between new and existing team members, which is vital for long-term success. By approaching layering with empathy and understanding, organizations can facilitate a smoother transition and promote personal growth among all employees.
Kelli and Nolan unpack the delicate art of layering – that awkward moment when someone gets a new boss – while calling out the pitfalls of secret searches and celebrating the often-forgotten heroes of early startup days. Equal parts tactical advice and therapy session for growing companies.
*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.co
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(00:00) Intro(00:13) Layering Question on Dear Heretics(02:06) Initial Thoughts on Layering(02:58) Human Aspect of Layering(03:43) Importance of Coaches & Advisors(04:00) New Hires vs Existing Employees(07:16) Confidential Search on Layering(10:08) Sponsor: Metaview(12:02) Handling Layering: CEO/CPO Perspective(14:13) Expanding Roles in Startups(16:00) New Executives and Fail States(16:57) The Shepherd Role of a Leader(17:18) The Layered Employee's Perspective(18:05) Two Paths: Spiteful vs. Gracious(20:18) Building Something Bigger Than Yourself(20:59) Maturity Matters(21:20) Wrap
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