Promotions at an early-stage startup — am I asking for too much? (probably)

Another interesting article from the team at Sifted. I find this a little amusing, if you want a ladder to climb, join a corporate, or maybe a scale-up getting beyond 80+ employees, not a start up. In a start up if you want progression, more responsibility, take it. If you want more money, earn it. Become the MVP in your domain. 

I advocate very strongly for the importance of people to the success of any start-up. Attaining and retaining talent, creating an inspiring, egalitarian, challenging, flexible working culture is critical to that success in my opinion. Hiring the right people of course. Some people will stay the duration of the start-up to grown-up journey, but they are rare. Typically the ‘right’ people will change as the company evolves and moves through the stages of growth.

In start-up land, from a career perspective, my advice is to take to heart and mind the quote, variously attributed to Abraham Lincoln and Peter Drucker among others….

"The best way to predict the future is to create it.' 

In a start up you don't follow the path, you make the path for others to follow.

I've been working with cleantech start-ups on hiring and culture for a decade (I've founded a couple of start-ups too), if you are in cleantech and want some career advice, or hiring advice for that matter, feel free to get in touch.

David