We recently introduced Team Leads into the Small Improvements development team.

1. Introducing Team
Leads

2. The problem
• I don’t scale. Neither as PM, nor as a direct
manager of everyone.
• I should be talking and listening to everyone a lot
more often
• I need to delegate a lot of managerial tasks but
also leadership tasks

3. Let’s introduce Team Leads
• Most startups do this at a later stage
• We’re not in a mad rush yet
• But I’d rather start early, transition gently, and learn
and adjust on the way

4. Sebastian
Gernot
Alison
Overall

5. Managerial Tasks
• Main task: Conduct 1:1s to enable everyone to speak up
and have their voice heard
• Take unhappiness very seriously and act
• Pass on feedback from team members to Per if problem
can’t be resolved
• Ensure team members get ample opportunity to grow their
careers, use the training budget for instance, but also on a
work-focus basis
• Be the team’s “servant”

6. Leadership Tasks
• Represent the team, fight for the team
• Motivate the team so we can achieve great things
• Work the extra hours when the shit hits the fan

7. Things that don’t change
• Everyone is still required to be just as proactive, to
speak up, to help resolve issues
• We’ll continue to address issues “locally” first
• If you want to talk to someone, talk to them
• Don’t ask your TL to talk to their TL unless needed

8. Don’t expect miracles!
• Team Leads are normal people who will have to
grow into the role
• We’ll provide training
• We’re doing this earlier than other companies, so
we can take more time
• They will fail at some of their tasks
• Like everyone really :)

9. TL vs FC
• FC is an orthogonal concept that we’ll keep!
• FC is about software projects, TL is about people
• I want the FC role to rotate (see Team Techno)
• I don’t want the TL to rotate though

10. FAQ
• TL won’t be involved in salary discussions for now
• TL will see 360 feedback and help set goals
objectives over time
• Other questions?