What to Keep in Mind as You Grow Your Team

From one woman to 12 people—we’ve now filled every core position in our team! I’m so proud of how far we’ve come and I’m humbled by the realizations that come with this growth.

When I started OWN Academy seven years ago, I hit the ground running and just figured it out along the way. I did every single thing. So when it came time to welcome new members gradually, I had to learn to delegate and share ownership with my team.

From there, I started to have more space to think of what’s next. How do we all move together in the same direction and speed? It’s my job to set the course and make sure that everyone has what they need to play their part.?

After years of trial and error, I’ve landed on a few things that I find helpful in growing our team:?

• Think and act in systems.

I can’t emphasize enough how crucial it is to have processes in place. Whether it’s a step-by-step guide on how we run our programs or a guide on how to store files properly, these are all important to both new and existing members.?

It helps new members get on board more efficiently. It gives everyone a clear idea of how different departments operate, which informs their own internal processes. Everything is connected.?

• Encourage self-starter mentality.

In our earlier years, there was a time when I was the only employee and I had over 10 interns. It was a lot of me telling them what to do and how to do it. I quickly learned that that wasn’t how I wanted to run things—I wanted it to be a two-way street.

So now when I delegate, I don’t expect my team to just do the tasks. I ask them to be self-starters, to think with me, and even to challenge me. I believe that it’s only with constructive criticism that we can find better solutions together.?

• Empower each member to protect the team culture.

Over the years, I’ve had my trust broken by some members. It’s heartbreaking and it takes a minute for me to process and heal, but what helps is to reframe it as a learning opportunity.

Now that the team is the biggest it’s ever been, it’s a top priority to protect our team culture. It’s my job to empower every single member to put our values into practice. To communicate with intention, professionalism, and kindness. To respect each other’s differences in context and culture. To build a safe space where everyone can try new things, ask questions, and seek help. To disagree without losing our empathy and trust.

My experiences have sharpened my instincts when it comes to recruiting and collaborating with people, but I know there’s much more to learn and I’m excited to see how this team can continue to bring out the best in each other.?

How do you grow with your team? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.?

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