Navigating Startup Relationships: Insights by Pavitra Pradip Walvekar
In the dynamic world of startups, the mantra "employees are family" has gained popularity. While this perspective can be comforting, an alternative viewpoint suggests a more effective strategy for fostering a successful startup culture: envision your company as a sports team rather than a family. This approach is championed by Pavitra Pradip Walvekar, the forward-thinking leader of Kudos Finance and Investments Private Limited in Pune.
Viewing your organization as a family can hold you back in several ways. Firstly, there will inevitably be times when you need to let some employees go, either through firing or layoffs. Pavitra Pradip Walvekar explains, “If you've been calling them family, this can come off as hypocritical.” Secondly, to effectively compensate, motivate, and develop your team, you need to set and measure performance standards through objective assessments based on clearly defined metrics. Unlike a family setting, adopting a family-like approach can foster unhealthy attitudes towards employees, often treating them as children rather than capable adults.
Today's workforce values trust, empowerment, and involvement over paternalistic leadership, seeking a more collaborative and respectful environment. “Managing expectations in a work environment where the employer tries to mimic the family environment will never work,” adds Pavitra Pradip Walvekar. By adopting a sports team mentality, startups can cultivate a culture of performance, accountability, and mutual respect, leading to greater success and employee satisfaction.