Ryan — Couldn’t agree with you more on usage of those terms. Perhaps explaining why the words are impactful and what they connote would help others agree.
“Employee” implies that people you work with are there for the paycheck. In some companies this is accurate. In other companies, especially start-ups, the pay is likely not competitive; work-life is not existent (actually I’m not a fan of the phrase “work-life balance” either); and ideally, you’re hiring incredibly talented people who could have any job they want. As such, while the team is receiving compensation, they’re choosing to be there. They have aligned their personal interests to yours. It is this choice and the alignment that makes teammates over employees.
“Work for me” implies employees who are told what to do and a top-down set of directives. When the team is aligned and moving at high-speed there isn’t room for top-down, it’s a parallel effort (actually, hopefully you’re converging on common goals). In top performing start-ups I’ve been part of, it’s comical how little communication is necessary in that small room cranking away at work. You are working together not for each other. Work with me indicates that brilliant people, aligned, who don’t need to and don’t want to be told what to do.
“My team” connotes sole ownership. George Steinbrenner could say “my team,” a start-up founder cannot. A great start-up often has multiple people who could just as easily start their own company and call themselves “CEO.” Title doesn’t excite great people to work with you, being a vibrant leader with a vision does. Our team is a phrase that captures respect, excitement, and modesty.
Key themes: alignment, brilliant people, respect, modesty.
