Adaptability
The necessary characteristic for Scale-Up success.
Much of the glamour around the technology sector is focused on the start-up phase. That scrappiness and fighting for every inch in the race towards a successful, or not, product launch and market entry. However, for those that have been through it, and those in it, I am sure they will recognise that the Scale-Up phase is significantly harder. The challenges of growth and building a successful operating system for the business become more complex. While at the same time, the risks associated are as high, if not higher. Growth, business process, team expansion, and investor management become the critical areas of focus alongside continuing to build Product-Market fit, commercial traction, and winning.
In all the companies that I support or have supported, we will eventually discuss inflection points — the inevitable time when the fundamentals of a business are about to change, and it can signal either an opportunity to rise or the beginning of the end. The transition from start-up to scale-up is certainly one of these moments. However, it is better described not as a single inflection point, but as a constant stream of large and small discrete changes that often overlap. Decisions and actions here mean that the business is in an almost constant state of rapid evolution. The organisation wants and needs to maintain the appropriate level of agility and nimbleness. This puts more onus on the team to evolve and adapt just as quickly as the organisation.
It is therefore essential to ensure that your team’s ability to adapt to your fast-paced environment is at the forefront of your thinking. When inviting someone to join your team, this is more important at this stage than their depth of technical experience. Knowledge can be learned, it’s harder to learn the attitude and adaptability required to be successful when reality is constantly shifting.
For those embarking on the scale-up journey or looking for an opportunity to join — you have to make an active decision as to whether you are willing, capable, and ready to operate under these conditions. If you can master this, though, the rewards are huge. Your opportunities for your own personal growth can be exponential.
Adaptability is a fairly ambiguous term and many will have a different interpretation of what that means. Over the years these are the traits that make up my definition:
- Flexibility: Are you open to new ideas and able to change approaches based on new information?
- Resilience: Can you quickly bounce back from setbacks, learn and embrace them as an opportunity for growth?
- Continuous learning and improvement: What is your commitment to growth and development?
- Adaptive problem-solving: Are you a critical thinker — with creative and innovative approaches to problem-solving? Can you see unique and original angles to make achieving your objective easier?
- Volunteering in the face of ambiguity: Do you know it's necessary but aren’t sure what or how to achieve it, yet step forward anyway?
- Effective communication: Are you able to change your communication styles to reflect different situations in the support of others?
The one thing I can almost certainly guarantee about any role in any rapidly scaling organisation is that the role parameters of today will be completely different in 6 months' time. It is critical, therefore, that everyone involved is able to adapt to those circumstances.
