Behind the Scenes of Building a Team for Your Small Business

With the number of things small businesses get done, it may come as a surprise that many small businesses are composed of teams of only a few people – and many are also just one-person operations. As a small business founder and leader, I’ve learned firsthand the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people when you are ready to take the next steps for your business.

We all know that building the right team is hard, and maintaining a positive, productive work culture that gets stuff done is even harder. Here, I’ll go over everything you need to know about building a small business team, from hiring a great team to fostering a supportive work environment to making sure the job gets done – and gets done well. Let’s dive in. 

Hire Slow, Fire Fast 

When you start building out your small and mighty team, there will probably be many qualified people who probably have the skills you’re looking for. The key is finding the right person not just for the job, but for your vision and company. 

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Hire slow, fire fast.” To truly find the right fit for your specific business and mission, you should be as thorough and patient as possible during the hiring process. This involves not just carefully reading resumes and cover letters, but also preparing thoughtful interview questions and crafting intentional hiring assignments that will help you filter through contenders and find the perfect match for your team. 

The other half of the saying might sound brutal in theory, but in practice, firing people quickly is essential to keeping your company alive. Sometimes, things just don’t work out. Expectations aren’t aligned, personalities don’t click, working styles clash, and both employers and employees are unhappy. It’s better to cut the cord with those not aligned with your business plan sooner rather than later. It might not be fun to do, but firing people quickly will save both your business and the employee more trouble in the long run. 

Fostering a Great Work Environment

If you’ve worked in a toxic professional environment, you know the signs: the rapid heartbeat after a Slack notification, the dread of checking your email, and the constant stress that something will be put on you as blame, instead of a solution, is tossed around. 

So as a founder, how can you build a work environment that people enjoy working in while still getting the job done – and done well? 

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to building a positive work culture, at the core of every great team is a shared sense of trust, loyalty, and responsibility. Through open communication, honest feedback, and collaboration, teams can find a shared sense of purpose and personal attachment to a company’s mission. 

While creating a system of recognition is important to boosting team morale, it’s also key to offer opportunities for growth and learning through feedback processes, course offerings, or clear advancements within your company that come with time and achievement. 

Create an environment where people are inspired, motivated, and happy. Happy employees do better work – even when they need to hustle. 

Getting the Job Done 

So you have a happy team – check! But do you also have a productive team? The tricky part of team building is creating a culture where people are both happy and comfortable, but also ready to get their hands dirty with the work it takes to keep a small business alive and running. 

Before you hire anybody to fill a role for your team, you should have a list of clear expectations and realistic goals for them to refer to and update as needed. It’s best to frame these expectations in the broader context of overall company goals so employees can see how their everyday work matters in the bigger picture. 

It’s also important to lead by example and foster a culture of resilience – even after failures or setbacks. Being a human means making mistakes. Helping employees learn from those mistakes can create a healthy work environment while also fostering personal and professional growth. Notice how you handle mistakes as a leader, and note how your team may look to you as an example of how to address and correct any setbacks. 

Last, but not least, create a high-performing team while avoiding burnout. This is easier said than done, but encouraging a healthy lifestyle, promoting mental health awareness, and providing your team with helpful resources can help boost productivity without increasing feelings of being overwhelmed, exhausted, or stressed. 

Conclusion 

A high-performing, collaborative team can take your small business to the next level by increasing productivity, expanding your company’s skillset in specific areas, and bringing a shared sense of accomplishment and value to your company. 

While building a great team requires time and patience, taking your time to hire employees is key to choosing the right fit for your business (remember to “hire slow and fire fast”). As a founder, find ways to build a positive work environment while also making sure the work gets done efficiently and productively. Remember to lead by example when dealing with setbacks or celebrating achievements. A great team is the foundation for a great company – and you have the honor of building one.