CEO’s Corner: The Importance of a Great Team
The myth of the lone genius changing the world persists in the cultural narrative of entertainment, tech, and business advancement. The fact is, however, that every major advance (tech or otherwise) is executed by a team.
Sure, often times there is a central figure leading, or setting the vision for, the effort, but when it comes down to executing on something transformative, success relies on the quality of the team.
When you are creating something that you are passionate about, one of the biggest challenges you can face is giving up a certain amount of control. But total control is an illusion, and as capable and talented as you might be, no one does it alone.
You need a crew.
Here are three things to consider while finding it:
Trust is Essential
When you go to build your team, find people you trust.
These may be people that you have known for a long time and know they are reliable. Or, they may be highly experienced people who you know you can count on to help solve the problems in front of you.
Whatever the reason for that trust, you have to be able to rely on the people you are working with every day… especially in a small business like a stream community or a startup.
Delegation is a Power Multiplier
Trust is so essential, because delegation is a power multiplier.
Let me admit something: I can sometimes fall into control freak mode about certain things at GameWisp. It’s mostly because I just want things to be done right and, in my pride, I (falsely) believe that if I have a hand in the decision, I will prevent some avoidable mistake.
The truth is that swooping in on people’s every decision actually causes more setbacks than solutions.
The flip side is true as well: delegating important task to your trusted team is empowering to you and your team. Not only will you find that you’re letting go makes things go faster, but everything is done more effectively than you ever could on your own.
Lift Your Eyes
When you are a sole operator, there is nothing but the work right in front of you, each day. Not only is there no time to sit back and think about the future, but the work is often so consuming that you don’t even consider (let alone reject) the option of looking ahead.
Trusted teams executing on important, delegated problems give you the mind space to lift your eyes, look ahead, and set the vision for your enterprise.
Remember the time you took to dream when you were working your other job, before you leapt into your startup or stream or small business? Remember how you schemed and planned and discovered opportunities in your mind?
I cannot express to you how invaluable this is as a leader, but it is something you must push forward to find… It won’t just show up.
Building an awesome team is the way to get back there and lead your company into the next stage.
Now, Go Build a Team!
Evaluate when you need to bring in a partner or team, and do it promptly.
If you are a broadcaster, develop a team of mods that you can trust. Build relationships with other streamers, and create teams that can be a support structure to help you grow and build your community.
If you are a sole startup entrepreneur, find a co-founder that shares your vision. If you are further along, evaluate your team and build around them to execute on the vision you have.
Founding GameWisp with brilliant people I trust, and growing the amazing team we now have, is one of the best things I’ve ever experienced. I hope that for you, too.
