Leadership in Startups: Different Styles, Their Strengths and Weaknesses + Key Questions for the Team
I work a lot with founders and entrepreneurs, as well as leaders who guide others.
During this process, I frequently ponder the patterns that emerge in ambitious leaders and their rapidly expanding teams. More importantly, what should they do and avoid doing to prevent the fate of the 65% of startups that fail due to team conflicts?
I recently had the opportunity to conduct research on this topic using numbers and ratings, and this is what I found:
- Team Dynamics
According to surveys and group dynamics research, the following are critical questions and practices for teams:
- Does everyone understand our rules, processes, and agreements?
- Do we listen to each other and consider everyone’s opinions?
- Do we resolve conflicts in a win-win manner?
- Are roles and goals clearly defined and understood by all?
- Is feedback given constructively and clearly?
- Personality Types in the Team
Simple personality typing, like the Enneagram, helps assess team dynamics. Common types include:
- Achievers (3) - goal-oriented but may neglect relationships.
- Enthusiasts (7) - energetic but can lack focus.
- Dominators (8) - take charge but can be abrasive.
- Perfectionists (1) - detail-oriented but may lack flexibility.
- Helpers (2) - caring but may neglect their own needs.
- Leadership Focus
Different leadership styles (as per Hogan’s theory) are essential. Each team member usually has 1-2 dominant styles and 2-3 less prioritised ones. Key styles include:
- Results-focused: Achieves goals but may harm relationships.
- Relationship-focused: Builds culture but can lose task focus.
- Communication-focused: Engages well but can be disorganised.
- Process-focused: Sets systems but may struggle with change.
- Strategy-focused: Sees the big picture but may miss details.
- Analytics-focused: Uses data well but may get lost in details.
Combining diverse leadership styles can enhance team functionality, similar to how different organs are vital for a body’s function. Entrepreneurs should apply innovative thinking not only to their products but also to team and leadership development.
Further Reading:
- For team dynamics: "Creating Effective Teams" by Susan Wheelan and the "Team Canvas" framework.
- For Enneagram: Enneagram Institute tests and "The Wisdom of the Enneagram" by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson.
Originally published on Ponchik News