Working in and building a high performing team in a startup environment comes with countless challenges and even more opportunities to seek out. I liken my role to that of a Bus Driver.
It’s the job of anyone in ‘management’ (in quotes because depending on the situation, that term carries different meaning and connotations) to ensure my team gets from Point A to Point B to Point C to… well you get the picture. And just like a Bus Driver we wear many different hats to achieve this moving target of a goal.
Let’s talk about those hats.
Fedoras: jk. I meant the different jobs we have in the role.
Inspect the Bus:
At the start of everyday, a bus driver worth his salt walks around his machine to make sure it’s ready for the day. The tires have air, the rows are clean, he understands the schedule for the day, and more. You should do the same for your team. Rather than kicking their tires, do a quick stand up to make sure the team is unblocked and knows the goal for the day.
Fill the Tank:
It’s our job as managers to make sure the team is being pushed to their limits but also given proper time to rest and recover. It’s easy to burn someone out. I’ve personally burned out 2-3 times and have ignored the signs of burnout in my team when I first stepped into my role. I’ll talk more in a different post on how to manage and refuel a team but for now remember to avoid hitting E with your team and before you do, stop to refuel. I’d rather miss a deadline than lose a team member.
Navigate the Day to Day:
While we don’t necessarily set the bus route and determine bus stops, it’s our job to make sure we run on time and avoid potholes along the route. Too often new mangers are afraid to make decisions because they don’t feel empowered – be it confidence or organizational structure.
I feel very fortunate to have started my management journey within a high growth startup. I remember asking what I should do in certain situations and my mentors just replying ‘make a business decision’. Frustrating at first but so empowering to be trusted to make these judgment calls. A bus driver doesn’t stop for every pothole they come across in the street or for a noisy kid in the back. It takes practice to understand what’s a pothole and when you have a flat tire. When you do a get flat tire, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Use AAA:
I see this a lot. Managers don’t ask for help enough or try to solve problems alone for fear of judgment. If I get a flat tire, 1 out of 100 times am I trying to change that sucker on my own. I’m immediately hitting up AAA to come out and help. Your mentors and managers are your AAA. 1 annual fee for unlimited use. Get your money’s worth! There’s a balance but err on the side of overuse early on. You’ll quickly build your confidence and start to use your management team more strategically as you get a few more grey hairs.
Just a quick post to get my thoughts on paper. Lots more responsibilities of a Bus Driver but these floated to the top.
What other responsibilities does a bus driver / manager have? Leave a comment below!