As a founder, you wear many hats: product manager, customer service support, operations, human resources and the list goes on. Multitasking and taking charge come naturally to most founders, especially solo founders like me.
Last month, I decided that it was time to move to a new office space. We moved from co-working to going solo. Naturally, the founder instinct in me screamed: “Let’s do this the fastest way with the smallest possible budget.” That meant we had to buy desks, chairs (only as many as we needed) and a coffee machine (a top priority, of course).
But after having previously moved across countries, between four different offices and three different houses in less than three years, I wanted this time around to be different. So I decided to relinquish control and let the rest of the team take charge. Before I show you the turnout, I want to share the lessons I learned along the way.
Recognize the leaders.
Like most days of our lives, we had a small window during which the move needed to be completed. During this time, I was able to see how each team member approached the move. I noticed the types of leaders my team had. Some were heavier on strategy and planning, while one focused more on execution and ensuring that the job needed to be done — and done well! Surprisingly, they also thought about how the space would look once we moved and how I could get more space and privacy.
Lesson learned: If you empower your team and are transparent with them, they will rise and lead by example.
Empower your team to make decisions.
I loved how, after hours, my team would send me a hand-drawn blueprint of the space. While there were opinions, most of the decision making was centered around budgets and how well the team managed brand aesthetics and budgets. What should be bought brand new versus bought off craigslist? Fun fact: Deciding the coffee machine was the hardest and longest decision-making process. This just told me how passionate we all are about coffee.
Lesson learned: It starts from the top. Share your logic while making decisions. It enables the team to understand and embrace a similar thought process as well.
Look at the bigger picture.
While all of this was going on, the team saw the bigger picture of how the entire space was going to come together — from where the minifridge would be placed to how many nails would be needed to hang up the paintings. I learned that I’m not the only one who spends most of my time eating, living and breathing the bigger picture — so does my team.
Lesson learned: Talk about your journey, your vision and your passion. It is contagious and will trickle down to your team eventually.
Today, we complete one month in our new office space and I couldn’t be happier. Every corner is special, not because of the things that fill the space but because the people who put their heart into this vision of mine and bringing it to life. Trust goes both ways, and as Han Solo would say, “Chewy, we’re home.”
Know where home is. Home is not your office or the business. Home is the people.