Jessyca Heinen, MBA, SPHR’s Post

This is such a great discussion about the intersection of people and operations. Haley Devlin, Jason Moore, and Christy Johnson get to the heart of why it's so important to bring the right people together in a startup. If you've ever tried to build a team from the ground up, you know how true that is. These three dig into ways to be successful with the endeavor. (Hint: you might be overthinking it.) This is a generous, useful discussion. Start here: https://lnkd.in/e_G7s7Et #startup #talent #hiring #tips #scale

In this episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, we dive into the art of startup hiring and development with insights from growth-stage advisors Haley Devlin and Jason Moore of DNA Partners. These seasoned entrepreneurs share invaluable strategies for building a solid team foundation, the importance of aligning hires with company culture, and how to navigate the competitive talent landscape. Key takeaways from our discussion: ☑️ The critical role of team composition in a startup’s success. ☑️ Strategies for effective recruitment and talent retention. ☑️ Balancing skillsets with cultural fit to foster a cohesive team. This conversation with Christy Johnson is a must-read and must-listen for startup leaders looking to build teams that drive sustainable growth. 🎧 Check the comments to tap into expert insights for ways to improve competitive advantage through a strong, scalable organization. #ExtraordinaryPursuits #StartupHiring #TeamBuilding #GrowthStrategy #BIPVentures

As a founder & CEO, one of your main concerns should be establishing a team that can scale. So once you’ve achieved PMF and are ready to scale, what do you look out for when recruiting talent? 🙋Culture Fit  ⚒️ Skills ⚙️ Adaptability  🚀 Leadership Why is ‘culture fit’ first in that list? According to the Startup Handbook - founding team friction is one of the leading causes of startup failure. So don’t let interpersonal relationships get in the way of executing on a great idea. Make sure that your hires, regardless of skill or education or any other thing, mesh well with you team. It will only make you stronger in the end. 💪🌱 #leadership #growth #founder #recruiting #talent

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧!! We terminated one of our employees for the first time since starting this startup, and it weighs heavily on me. People often perceive managers as cold or heartless, but the truth is, these decisions are incredibly difficult for us too. We are not just responsible for the success of the company; we also care deeply about the well-being of our team. As an employee, I used to perceive managers as lacking empathy, especially when it came to tough decisions like terminations. However, after experiencing the other side of the coin, I have come to realize that managers are not indifferent to these situations. They carry the weight of these decisions and feel the impact just as much as anyone else involved. It's a tough position to be in, balancing the needs of the business with the well-being of the team. Letting someone go is never easy, but as managers, we carry the weight of tough decisions for the greater good of the business and team. Tough choices are part of leading, and while it's saddening, our responsibility is to ensure the company's success, even through difficult decisions. So, to anyone who may think managers or owners are indifferent to these decisions, know that we feel the impact too. We understand that they affect real people's lives. It's a responsibility we don't take lightly, and it's one that weighs on us just as much as it does on anyone else involved. #startup #leadership #LeadershipChallenges #founders #entrepreneurs

Lead with Clarity! Great leaders know that clarity is the foundation of high performance. If your team doesn’t understand the 'why' behind your decisions, they’re just going through the motions. But when they have a clear sense of purpose and direction, their focus sharpens, and their engagement rises. Whether it’s launching a new initiative, setting sales goals, or simply navigating day-to-day operations, taking the time to explain the bigger picture is what keeps your team motivated and aligned. It’s not just about what needs to get done—it’s about why it matters. This week, carve out time to sit down with your team. Clarify your vision. Ensure everyone understands where you’re headed, what the priorities are, and how they play a role in getting there. Clarity creates momentum—and that’s what drives real growth. #hiring #recruiterlife #recruiting #saassales #gsd #agsd #sales #startup #founder #ceo

I remember when I could name every person in our office. Now, with our recent expansion, I pass faces in the hallway I don't recognize. And if I'm being honest? Sometimes it makes me feel like I'm fading into the background. Our company's growth is exciting - new offices, new markets, new opportunities. But it's also bringing up some unexpected emotions. That startup energy where everyone wore multiple hats? It's evolving into structured roles and formal processes. But here's what I'm learning: • Feeling growing pains doesn't mean you're failing • Structure isn't the enemy of innovation • Your original impact doesn't diminish with company size • Sometimes you need to redefine your role instead of waiting for someone else to do it Growth means change, and change isn't always comfortable. But maybe that's okay. Maybe feeling a bit lost is part of finding your new place in a bigger picture. #CompanyGrowth #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #Authenticity #Leadership

Founders Scaling Without the Chaos Every growth phase needs a new structure—but I’ve had some first hand both experiencing and noticing founders stumble with these 2 things: - Hold onto too much- You create bottlenecks and burnout. - Hire too fast- You bloat your team and slow everything down. An easy way to transition/focus: 1️⃣ Startup Phase - Founders juggle operations, marketing, and sales themselves. - Once revenue stabilizes or you hit 50+ customers, start handing off key tasks. 2️⃣ Scaling Phase - Bring in role leads (product, customer success) instead of full teams. - Now’s the time to focus on building systems—let your team handle the details. 3️⃣ Mature Phase - Shift fully into strategic leadership—build cross-functional teams and a leadership pipeline. - When daily operations slow you down, step back and let others lead. The key? Stop managing and start designing. Build a system that scales without you. #founders #Startup

If you're struggling to build a high-performing team that actually enjoys coming to work, this is for you. After 2 years in leadership, I've cracked the code of creating teams that deliver exceptional results while having fun. The secret? It's what I call the "Passion-Play-Produce" approach: - Hire people who genuinely love what they do - Foster a team environment that encourages creativity and fun - Align team goals with delivering massive value to the organization It's that simple. When these three elements come together, magic happens. For startups and scale-ups, this approach is particularly powerful. It creates a magnetic culture that attracts top talent and fuels rapid growth. Passion + Play + Production = Unstoppable Teams Give it a try! When everyone's having fun AND crushing their goals, trust me, you'll wonder why you didn't do this sooner. (P.S. Yes, you can have your cake and eat it too. In fact, I encourage it – especially if it's during a team celebration!) #Leadership #TeamBuilding #HighPerformingTeams #StartupGrowth #CompanyCulture #WorkplaceMotivation #LeadershipTips #EmployeeEngagement #TeamSuccess #GrowthMindset #LeadershipDevelopment #StartupLeadership #ScaleUpSuccess #FunAtWork #PassionAndPurpose #CreativeLeadership

Common Pitfalls for Sales Leaders when hiring in new vertical for Startups: Expanding into a new vertical is thrilling for any startup, but it's crucial to avoid common hiring mistakes that can derail success. Sales leaders often fall into the trap of prioritizing industry experience over cultural fit, neglecting comprehensive onboarding, or overlooking the importance of adaptable skill sets. A balanced approach, focusing on both expertise and alignment with the startup's dynamic environment, is key to building a robust sales team. #SalesLeadership #StartupGrowth #HiringMistakes #NewVerticals #SalesTeam #StartupSuccess #TalentAcquisition #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #StartupHiring #SalesExcellence #WorkCulture #TeamBuilding #Adaptability #InnovationInSales

As an advisor to many VC-backed startups, I see firsthand the critical turning point when a company makes its first external leadership hire. It's often a baptism of fire for the founders and candidate. Here are some key insights to help you navigate this critical step: 🔍 Beyond Titles: Identify the Leadership Gap — Don't get caught up in simply filling a CEO/COO/CFO position. Analyze your leadership team's strengths and weaknesses. What specific leadership expertise does your company urgently need to unlock the next stage of growth? This is often hard because you don't know what you don't know. Obessess with understanding this gap, and then fill it with someone exceptional. 💡 Culture Fit is the Secret Sauce — Technical fit and industry sector can be learned, but culture fit is the ingredient for long-term success. Seek a leader who resonates with your company's DNA. They should complement your founding team's style and embrace your core values, whilst helping you bridge the gap and not breaking the business. 📚 Onboarding is Key, Not a Courtesy — Onboarding goes far beyond the first week. Invest in a structured program that equips your new leader with the knowledge and connections they need to thrive. Think mentorship, shadowing, and introductions to key stakeholders. If they don't work out, normally its because you weren't clear on what you needed, hired poorly or didn't equip the right candidate to be successful. This is harder and more time consuming than you think. 🤝 Founders as Partners, Not Bosses — The relationship between founders and a leader is critical. Open communication and clearly defined roles are essential to avoid power struggles or just plain misunderstandings. Focus on collaboration, leveraging each other's strengths to achieve shared goals. Remember, they've likely seen this journey before, that's why you hired them. 👉 Seems like I'm stating the obvious here. Which of the four is most critical? 🗣️ Share you thoughts below.! 💬 #VCbacked #startupgrowth #leadership #hiringtips #founder