Business startups are usually staffed with a bunch of scrappy go-getters who don’t need much direction or vision to keep the company moving and shaking. That’s just as it should be…at first. But as your firm grows, you might find that those “do whatever it takes” attitudes (that were vital during the launch phase) start to get in the way once you’ve built a larger business.
If this has happened to you, you’re not alone. The fact is that organizations sometimes outgrow their employees. While creative, driven individuals excel at launching startups, they tend to wither and die in a corporate setting. On the other hand, when you transplant a superstar from a big business into a startup, they tend to struggle to find their footing.
What makes some employees suited for launching a business and others a better fit for established firms?
Employees as Fish
Yes, yes, I know: there are thousands of different types of employees, and endless variations of talents. But when you’re thinking about the stages of business growth, you can sort your current or potential staff into two primary groups. The first group thrives on ambiguity and change. They like figuring things out, solving new problems, and tackling a different set of problems every day. They are creative, driven, self-motivated, and don’t need a lot of direction.
The second group are team players. They like rules. They expect order and direction. And while they are happy to take on new challenges, facing a new set of problems every day will eventually demoralize them.
Both types are very valuable employees IF they work at the right company. That’s why it’s so important to understand how and when these two different personalities meet your business’s needs in every growth stage.
Muddy Water Fish
Some employees are okay with chaos. I call these people Muddy Water Fish because they do best when the waters around them are cloudy. These staff members embrace uncertainty, solve problems as they go, and move forward comfortably, even if they can’t see the way.
I should stress that Muddy Water Fish don’t just like cloudy waters; they require them. They don’t like a lot of rules, and things like strict dress codes demotivate them. Because they like take an idea and run with it, they resist structure. They enjoy figuring it out. Regulations and corporate processes slow them down, and they know it.
The good news is that Muddy Water Fish are the perfect choice if you’re looking for rapid growth in the early stages of a company’s development. You need employees who can work independently. You need a team that doesn’t require much infrastructure to excel.
The bad news is that Muddy Water Fish struggle in large companies. Their independent working style may derail systems, cause conflict, or even slow progress. While firm full of Muddy Water Fish can be innovative, it will have problems creating systems and efficiencies.
Clean Water Fish
Many employees want a well-defined job with clear objectives and regular measurement. I call them Clean Water Fish. They to swim toward one vision. They like maps and plans. They are uncomfortable with change or ambiguity. These process-driven individuals want to work within an established framework.
Clean Water Fish tend to work best in mature companies with well-developed processes. They want direction and appreciate evaluations. Because they like teams, roles, and rules, this type of employee works well with large groups.
While Clean Water Fish sometimes appear early in a company’s growth (often in HR or accounting), they don’t usually join firms in the early stages of their development. They are repelled by risk. They swim toward order, stability, and continuity and shy away from the unknown.
Thier need for processes and systems simply can’t be met during the startup phase. However, those same qualities are essential once a company is off the ground, looking to create systems and order, and wanting to scale up quickly.
Watch Outs
Both Muddy Water and Clean Water Fish add value if they are working for companies in the right stage, but that doesn’t mean you won’t encounter some problems. Watch out for Muddy Water Fish who create a cloud of muck to protect themselves from scrutiny and potential dangers. Confusion or obscurity can be a form of job security for these employees, so they won’t always play nice with others.
Clean Water Fish come with their own set of challenges. They feel vulnerable and insecure without processes in place. They aren’t always good at taking leaps of faith. They get upset if others “break the rules” or if exceptions are made to established procedures. Their need for order can become a barrier to you growing company’s progress. They want a plan and a big picture, even if one doesn’t exist yet.
And remember that any startup has roles or departments that demand order and processes. So, even in the early days, you may want to hire Clean Water Fish to handle accounting, HR, or legal services. Conversely, most successful firms also have some areas of ambiguity that require more flexible employees, such as sales or marketing. These are great departments for Muddy Water Fish to thrive.
Owners as Fish
While it’s easy enough to categorize employees, this analogy also applies to business owners. In the early stages, most entrepreneurs are Muddy Water Fish. Founders must be flexible to adapt quickly to a variety of market situations. Comfort with uncertainty is a requirement.
In a firm’s early days, the focus is on sales and growth, not checks and balances. As a result, entrepreneurs usually surround themselves with other Muddy Water Fish who are also comfortable with ambiguity.
However, the founder must transform into a Clean Water Fish to transition the firm to the next level. Eventually, owners must say goodbye to the startup’s short-term vision and reliance on intuition. Scaling and stability require systems, checks, and balances. It’s a common issue in company growth. If the owner doesn’t transition from ambiguity to process, their own support teams will eventually view them as a liability.
Which Fish?
By understanding the fundamental differences in working styles, you can stock your firm with the mix of Muddy and Clean Water Fish that help you meet your goals. If you want to talk about surrounding yourself with the right people at the right stage, contact us to learn more.