The 10 rules of management in a startup

Managing people in a startup is different than big-company management.

As a founder now in a management/leadership role, just follow these 10 simple rules.

1. If a problem is easy to articulate, so is the solution. If the problem is “I can’t get this type of data” the solution is simple: “just do the work and get that type of data”. For something like “our conversion is low” the solution is simple: “just do the work that will increase conversion”.
2. Anything that is easy to articulate should be done in about 2 weeks. 4 weeks MAX because people are generally lazy. This is a startup and we need to move with urgency. Everything matters and people need to know that.
3. When people don’t get something done, they either a) don’t know what they are doing, or b) are not working hard enough. All other reasons are excuses. Be better at what you do, work harder and stop making excuses. You’re annoying when you’re making excuses.
4. If people keep making excuses, you’re going to have to tell them what to do. “Just do the work and get the data” is a great example of what to do. It’s clear, to the point, and if you would just be better and work harder you’d get it. It’s annoying to have to step in, but you have to do it.
5. Create a sense of urgency by showing your frustration and disappointment. If the person continues to make excuses, increase the intensity until they they work harder.
6. Being emotional shows your reports that you really care. People that say emotions are not effective are just making excuses. Most people are too soft for startups, and that’s why they can’t handle strong shows of emotion.
7. Trust is important. I need to know what you’re doing so I can trust you when you’re right, and correct you when you’re wrong.
8. People stepping up is important, because they need to be great. And they need to be great tomorrow. Management training, letting people fail, are big company things because they have time and money. If people were great, they would just step up now, and grow by just being great!
9. My time is more important than yours. When you’re not being great I have to step in, and that’s a waste of my time. Stop doing that and just do your job already. Can’t you see I have to deal with all these other problems? Can’t you see how much I’m doing for our business?
10. Empowerment, delegation, listening, positive reinforcement — are signs of people being spoiled by big companies with lots of cash. Spoiled people don’t work hard. We’re here to do a job and be great, so stop wasting my time talking about these things.

If you find yourself nodding at any of these rules, and did not realize they are a satire, please seek professional help immediately. You’re not Steve Jobs, and never will be.

A professional management coach will do wonders for your company. Please invest in it. You won’t regret it, and your co-workers will be much more effective in reaching your goals than you think.