There’s no one-and-done solution to leading small teams, but there are crucial tips and tools that can help leaders be effective. Many threads are common for running small teams in a variety of industries.
Here, small business leaders share their best insights on managing their teams — in the spirit of helping more emerging businesses thrive.
Right Now vs Right
Running a small business often means needs are constantly changing. Tri Nguyen, Network Capital Co-Founder and CEO, said that is often the toughest part of running a small business — adjusting quickly to what’s needed right now.
To prevent employees from becoming overwhelmed, Nguyen said when a new idea or project presents itself he pauses to consider two things: the urgency of the project and the amount of time and energy it requires. While being rooted in those two pillars, he’ll often find that projects or initiatives can be put on hold until there are more people available to execute them properly.
“Not everything has to happen at the drop of a hat,” Nguyen said. “Doing something right is better than doing it right away.”
Amanda E. Johnson, TatBrow CMO agrees. She added that it’s much better to fully optimize a few really great products than have 100 ‘just fine’ options. The great ones are what people will remember, she said. Staying laser-focused on quality also helps small teams define and refine how they operate before a brand becomes larger than life, she noted.
“When you’re operating a small team, you have to be people-first,” Johnson said. “Running a successful business means taking care of each other, and sometimes that means running the marathon together instead of forcing the sprint.”
Ask for Help Winning the Race
“The slower-but-steady mentality doesn’t quite apply in the restaurant industry, where needs can change in a flash and need to be handled immediately. It’s a fast-paced, dynamic environment that requires quick thinking and flexibility,” Raul Porto, Porto’s Bakery Owner and President, said.
“It’s all about teamwork, and that’s not just a cliché,” Porto said. “We don’t work well unless we work together. No matter what, we have to have each other’s backs. There is truly no other way a foodservice business can run efficiently.”
Kaspar Povilanskas, Nowadays Media Co-Founder and CEO, is savvy when it comes to speed. Nowadays launched TikTok in North America, and the agency specializes in making brands go viral. That means catching the momentum at exactly the right time in the right way. The e-commerce landscape is a rapidly evolving, demanding place, and small businesses have to move faster than ever to launch products, create content, and deal with pandemic-related pivots. That’s why small teams can benefit from outsourcing in order to push forward more rapidly, he said.
“Emerging brands are scrambling to decode what content will capture consumers’ attention,” Povilanskas said. “They often struggle to see what content sticks because it’s not something you can force. That’s where having outside help can really catapult a brand’s story into the limelight.”
Remain Rooted in Values
When everyone on a small team is aligned, the work flows seamlessly. That’s why it’s so important to constantly reflect back on your values before launching every project, plan, or internal initiative.
“Leaders of small teams show that they care by making sure everyone is aligned with exactly what they need to do and why,” said Jacques-Edouard Sabatier, JOW Co-Founder and CEO. “That’s how you stay grounded, focused, and united as a team. It’s also how strong relationships build because everyone knows exactly what to aim for.”
The work should always reflect back on the larger company vision, according to Amish Shah, ALTR Created Diamonds President. It’s up to leaders to unpack how team members’ duties impact the overall company goals. That broader context is crucial in proving that values are aligned across the company.
“This helps employees understand the end result they’re working towards as a unit,” Shah said. “When goals are clearly set, everyone can track progress and identify achievements in a tangible manner.”
When work is happening online, remaining really laser-focused on your company’s values also helps build a strong culture, said Michael Fischer, Elite HRT Founder.
“In a digital environment, employees are eager to connect — and they need that to function even if they don’t realize it,” Fischer said. “That means it’s up to small business leaders to develop tools and initiatives that help form that foundation online.”
Caring, Consistent Communication
When you’re leading a small team, it’s extra important to offer support so that people feel they aren’t alone. Leaders should always carve out time to check in with employees and offer help, said Ben Thompson, Hardwood Bargains CEO.
“A healthy, supportive environment is one where team leaders ask questions, check in, and truly care, but don’t micromanage,” Thompson said. “It’s important to build confidence in employees so that they can essentially lead themselves and develop their skills.”
Matt Seaburn, Rent A Wheel Partner and President, said it’s crucial for small business leaders to position themselves as coaches, rather than as dictators or gurus. Additionally, while they can offer guidance, help, and support, leaders do not have all the answers and cannot function alone.
“Admitting that you can’t do it alone is perhaps the most humbling part of being a leader,” Seaburn said. “When you can grow out of the mentality that you hold all the answers, you’re setting yourself up to learn, grow, and build something better than you ever imagined.”
Find Flexibility
Flexibility is a more important trait than ever when it comes to working in small businesses. Having a scrappy spirit is helpful, but it’s also up to team leaders to make sure larger goals are being reached.
Since flexibility is required of employees, leaders should be flexible with their employees in return — letting them work the way they want to when they want to, said George Fraguio, Vaster Vice President of Bridge Lending. He noted that people are better primed for productivity when they can control the details.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all framework for every employee,” Fraguio said. “When you force people to work a certain way at a certain time, you’re holding onto reins that don’t belong to you. With flexibility, employees are able to adapt their circumstances to meet their needs. Trust and accountability are what matters.”
Pride in your People
Running a small business effectively is a constant challenge, but when you create a culture that people love working in, the rest of the work flows much more organically.
When operating with a lean team, it’s really crucial to make sure people feel respected. Dr. Robert Applebaum, Applebaum, MD Owner, said that creating trusting relationships between clients and staff is at the core of his small business. When clients give great feedback, it’s always highlighted, shared, and celebrated with the whole team to build rapport.
“We don’t take feedback lightly,” he said. “We take every opportunity to celebrate the wins because we want a business that’s rooted in respect, reward, and genuine connection. Every client should feel as happy, safe, and supported as possible, and our employees are responsible for building that dynamic.”
Be Honest and Genuine
According to Ruslan Fazlyev, Ecwid Founder and CEO, leaders need to be honest and genuine to create loyalty and trust amongst small teams. From there, solid relationships can build over time.
“There are many leadership styles; there’s no right and wrong,” Fazlyev said. “But there’s genuine, and there’s fake. There’s no following to fake leadership.”
