Building the best tech startup team

Here is a summary of what I have learnt through readings, courses and experience on how to build a strong startup team.

The best team is built around 5 pillars

The dream team should be composed of people having the following expertise:

-         The visionary

-         The marketing expert

-         The sales expert

-         The tech guru

-         Operations’ lead

A single team member can have multiple hats. Famous entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk are or were playing 2 to 3 roles mentioned above.

The best team should have a passion for the problem it solves

Entrepreneurs should start with what they're most passionate about and then figure out how to do that profitably.

The best team should grow resources at the right pace

Timmons’ model(1) says that we should find the right balance between resources (mostly talents) and the opportunity. Numerous startups are accumulating too many employees too quickly compared to the opportunity they target. It’s important to respect the balance between the two.

The team manages resources with its leadership and defines how to address the opportunity thanks to its creativity.

The best team has strong leadership

There’s no single company growing exponentially without any hurdle. Any startup faces tough times and the role of the leaders is key in those moments. The capacity to overcome difficulties is what makes great companies! Therefore, it needs strong leaders.

The leaders have 3 key roles in the company:

-         Coordinate, deliver at the right time

-         Lead by example, inspire others

-         Inspire trust, carry optimism

How much complementarity in that team?

Complementarity should serve the company and not be the source of recurring conflicts (2).

It’s also good practice to well define the scope of responsibilities for each, how decisions are taken, how to manage disagreements, etc.

Sources:

(1) Timmons’ model: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Timmons-Model-of-the-Entrepreneurial-Process-Source-Timmons-Spinelli-200789_fig1_326316895

(2) Harvard business review: https://hbr.org/2007/04/the-leadership-team-complementary-strengths-or-conflicting-agendas