.svg){kind=small}
Picture this: You've just hired a brilliant engineer. She's creative, driven, and thrives in autonomous, unstructured environments. So you put her on a team with rigid processes and constant oversight.
What happens?
She gets frustrated.
Loses motivation.
Maybe even quits.
All that potential, squandered.
It's a story I've seen play out countless times. And it breaks my heart every time.
Here's the thing…
For founders like you, people are your most valuable asset. But each one is unique. They have different strengths, preferences, and working styles.
Your job is to create an environment that lets them shine. That means understanding what makes them tick. And tailoring your management to their individual needs.
[1] Use Science, Not Guesswork
Luckily, you don't have to figure this out through trial and error. There are powerful tools, like the Predictive Index, that can give you a blueprint for each employee's work style.
These behavioral assessments measure things like:
- Dominance: How they respond to problems and challenges.
- Extraversion: How they interact with others.
- Patience: How they deal with pace and consistency.
- Formality: How they approach rules and structure.
You can craft personalized management strategies. Let's take our engineer from before. Her assessment shows high dominance and low formality.
So instead of rigid processes, give her autonomy. Instead of constant oversight, give her challenging problems to solve. Watch her engagement and productivity soar.
(Try out the Predictive Index now)
[2] Play to Their Strengths
This isn't just about motivation. It's about maximizing potential.
Think about it. When someone is forced to work against their natural style, they waste huge amounts of energy. Energy that could be spent moving your business forward.
But when you give them a role and environment that plays to their strengths? They can focus all their energy on excelling. On innovating. On doing the best work of their lives.
It's a win for them, and a win for your startup.
[3] Embrace Diversity
Now, you might be thinking, "Won't this create a disjointed culture?" The opposite is true.
By embracing each individual's unique style, you create a culture of diversity and acceptance. One where everyone feels valued for who they are.
Compare that to the wasted effort of trying to force everyone into a single mold. Of making them constantly adapt to a culture that doesn't fit.
It's unsustainable. And it drives great people away.
[4] Start Small, Think Big
I know this can feel daunting. Especially if you're running lean and wearing a dozen hats.
But you don't have to overhaul everything overnight. Start small. Pick one team or one key hire. Dig into what makes them tick.
Then experiment. Try tailoring your management style to their needs. See what happens to their engagement and output.
I think you'll be amazed at the results. And once you see the impact, you'll be hooked.
Remember, your people are your most valuable asset. Invest in understanding them. Create an environment where they can do their best work.
Do this, and you won't just have a more productive team. You'll have a team that's fiercely loyal, incredibly innovative, and ready to take your startup to the moon.
Trust the behavioral data, it is worth it.
