Early-Stage Startups Need Fewer Avengers And More X-Men
In the fast-paced startup world, early-stage team building is vital. It’s about bringing together the right people to embark on your world-changing journey. There’s a lot of advice on hiring top talent, but recognizing your team’s fundamental nature is critical. Think in superhero terms: Are you assembling Avengers or recruiting X-Men? While every startup is unique, I tend to lean heavily toward looking for X-Men.
The Avengers represent established and iconic powerhouses. On the other hand, the X-Men mirror many of the qualities needed in an early-stage startup team. This comparison highlights the unique strengths and weaknesses of both sides and how, just as in the comics, the right team of X-Men can go toe-to-toe against the mighty Avengers.
Avengers: The Titans Of Established Success
The Avengers are Earth’s Mightiest Heroes — individuals who are at the top of their game, each excelling in their respective fields. They are only called in when the stakes are at their highest. The perfect soldier (Captain America); a billionaire tech genius (Iron Man); a literal god (Thor) — each is considered ‘best in class’ for the thing they are known for. The world knows the Avengers, and the Avengers themselves know that they are mighty.
In a startup, ‘Avenger-hires’ likely have an impeccable pedigree and experience. They can demand higher compensation due to their high-profile status and skillset. They may expect a level of process or support that isn’t yet available. They may not necessarily fit perfectly within a diverse team as their individual strengths might not be balanced out. You should keep your eyes open for some of the following hallmarks of an Avenger.
Recognized Icons: The Avengers are widely recognized symbols of strength and heroism. Similarly, top employees from established companies carry the reputation and recognition that can attract both customers and investors, providing a sense of credibility that startups may lack.
Experienced Leaders: The Avengers are led by seasoned heroes who understand their strengths and weaknesses. In the business world, established companies often have leaders with extensive industry knowledge, offering stability and guidance that startups might still be developing.
Accolades: Avengers are easily recognized as heroes and have the love and admiration of most of the people that they saved. Avenger-hires from established companies are used to a certain level of glory. They often have an expectation of higher salaries and better benefits due to their iconic status. Startups, with their limited resources, might find it challenging to meet these demands.
Battle-Tested Confidence: Having faced numerous adversaries, the Avengers boast a confidence born of experience. This can be traced to an established companies’ resilience in the face of challenges, giving them an advantage over startups that are still building their track record.
Limited Flexibility: Avengers who have been battle-tested at established companies might struggle to pivot quickly due to their reliance on working within large, resource rich organizational structures. Startups, on the other hand, can be more agile in adapting to market changes and customer demands.
X-Men: The Mutant Mavericks Of The Startup World
The X-Men are a team of mutants who all have unique and exceptional abilities but also possess significant flaws or challenges. For example, a healing factor paired with an unmatched fighting skill that must be tempered because of an all-consuming berserker rage (Wolverine); powerful optic blasts that are uncontrollable without special Ruby Quartz glasses (Cyclops); an agile teleporter with a gentle heart, who looks like a demon (Nightcrawler). The X-Men all fight for a noble goal in a world that fears and hates them. More importantly, the team makes up for the shortcomings of the individuals.
In a startup, the individuals might not fit the traditional mold of success, but their unique skills and perspectives can contribute to the team in valuable ways. The diversity of their abilities and backgrounds can lead to a team that complements each other’s strengths and weaknesses. When building your early-stage team, you should look for traits that can help you identify your X-Men.
Diverse and Specialized Abilities: X-Men come with an array of exceptional talents, mirroring the diverse skill sets early-stage startup employees often possess. From marketing wizards who are purely data-driven, to coding geniuses who don’t want to understand the non-technical, each member of the startup team brings a unique ability that contributes to the company’s overall success.
Drawbacks and Learning Curves: Just like every X-Man has their own limitations tied to their powers, early-stage employees may have weaknesses that stem from their specialized skills. These drawbacks, however, become opportunities for growth, as the team collaborates to fill in the gaps and learn from one another.
Adaptability and Agility: X-Men often face rapidly-changing situations, teaching them adaptability and quick decision-making. Early-stage startup employees must also be prepared to pivot and adjust strategies on the fly, making the X-Men’s ability to adapt particularly valuable in this context.
Underdog Spirit: Just as the X-Men are often underestimated and fight for survival in a world that fears and hates them, early-stage startups face often skepticism from both established competitors and customers who fear change to to the status quo . This underdog mentality fuels both X-Men and startup employees to prove their worth and succeed against the odds.
The Power Of Early-Stage X-Men In The Startup Universe
While the Avengers bring their undeniable power and recognition to the table, early-stage startups armed with X-Men-like qualities possess a unique set of advantages. The collaborative synergy, adaptability, and underdog spirit of X-Men-style teams enable them to stand toe-to-toe with even the most established competitors, including the Avengers of the business world.
The “Private Rogers” Factor
While recruiting an X-Men-like team is ideal for the early stage, there will be times that you will wish you had the skills of an Avenger on your roster. That’s why it’s a mistake to ignore Private Rogers. The “Private Rogers factor” refers to recognizing something special in a person; that hidden potential that could evolve into the qualities of iconic superheroes when they realize their full potential. In startup terms, this means identifying raw talent and passion in individuals who might not yet recognize their own capabilities.
Much like the transformation of Steve Rogers into Captain America, early-stage startups have the opportunity to uncover diamonds in the rough — individuals with immense potential who, with the right support and environment, can grow into exceptional leaders.
Conclusion
In the unforgiving arena of entrepreneurship, the choice between recruiting a team of early-stage X-Men or established Avengers is crucial. While the Avengers wield the strength of their iconic status, early-stage startup employees, much like the X-Men, showcase diverse skills, adaptability, and an unmatched hunger to succeed. With the right blend of skills, flaws, and energy, your early-stage startup could outshine even the most illustrious of business giants. Assemble your team wisely.
I am grateful for all the heroes that I’ve worked with over the years. There will always be a special place in my heart for those who were there, who helped me take just one more step, and who answered when I called out, “To me, my X-Men!”.
John P. Joseph
Originally published on Medium (https://medium.com/@johnpjoseph/unleashing-the-heroes-you-need-62744de898de)
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