What’s My Job, Again?
My role in my business is shifting. Or to be correct — “our business”. In five days it will be five months since I’ve been working on Deep Work Studios. I developed something that was just an idea into a well-communicated concept with architectural drawings, virtual models, renders and countless published articles. Also, I acquired something very valuable — the Deep Work Team. I used to be solo, not anymore. If there was a task to do, it was a no-brainer — I was the one to do it. No one to count on.
No more am I alone. I have a team of people working on making the Deep Work Studios a reality. Very intelligent and experienced folks, who dedicate their time and energy to the project. I communicated with them my vision, showed what I’ve done and they got inspired. They believe in what I’ve started and wanted to become a part of it. I am not alone.
During the meetings, all eyes are on me: What’s next Oleksandr? What’s the plan? I need to have a plan. I need to show my people where we are right now, where we going and most importantly WHY. Not just a blah-blah, but a solid direction with milestones to accomplish. They need to believe in what they do. This is a new hat to wear… My people believe in me and the business. They see the potential and I feel obligated to make my vision a reality — to prove myself. I got the opportunity to prove myself in action.
Having a team allows me to leverage certain tasks. Now, on top of the plan and milestones, I need to figure out what needs to be done and who is going to do it. I am responsible for setting clear goals. I need to assign the job, based on skills and strengths. It’s not enough to say: You — do it! The person has to be capable of delivering the result. I have to find the right words to motivate and explain why it is important. I still do a lot of things myself, but I feel that it’s time to change my mindset. I am stuck in the “operator” mentality, where I do everything myself. Wrong. You can’t build anything great on your own.
We need to track the progress. I need to create a project management system for our team. This is new… Working on my own, I didn’t have to worry about that. Sticky notes and To-Do lists would do just fine. Not anymore.
Having three people is not enough. We need a construction partner. Safety and security specialists. Marketing people. Layers and consultants… I am now responsible for bringing people in. My job is to fill the skill gaps on our racing rowing boat with capable people. I have to assemble the team. I need to scout for the right folks and recruit them by communicating our vision — to inspire. A lot harder to do, when you don’t have a salary to pay. That’s new.
I need to open new doors for my people. Finding stakeholders. Strategic partnerships. Relationship formations… Our company needs alliances, otherwise, we won’t move far. Alliances are a key part of what a leader does. Alliances provide a network of trusted sources. We can not work in a vacuum. Who is responsible for that? That’s on me. I have to go up there and knock on doors. Once I open a new door, my people can go in.
My job is to keep everyone on the same page. Stay clear on the vision. Whenever someone feels discouraged — find the right words to bring the person back up. When a lady on my team confessed that she’s feeling overwhelmed, I truly felt for her. I thought that a sauna gift card would help her relax. It helps me… I’ve been burned out many, many times. I’ve been depressed and mentally destroyed many, many times. My job as a leader is to care for my folks. They are my most valuable asset.
My job is to create an environment, where my people can shine. I genuinely want them to be recognized as people behind a great business — an internationally known venture. I want them to come to me at some point and say that meeting me and joining the company was the best thing that ever happened to them. I want to take my team on an amazing business adventure.
They believe in me. I will prove myself.
