The Many HR Hats Often Worn by Early Stage Startup Founders

Do you feel like you start your day wearing one hat, but by the time the end of the day rolls around, you’ve donned and discarded multiple hats?

If so, you aren’t alone. Startup founders notoriously have their hands in every piece of their startup, especially when it comes to human resources.

In this article, we look at the many HR hats often worn by early stage startup founders.

The Role of Mentor

By virtue of being the leader, you naturally fit the role of mentor.

You’re a seasoned veteran, you know what you want, and often, you know how to get it. You are ultimately responsible for the growth of each member of your team.

As such, you often find yourself in the role of mentor. It’s your job to encourage growth and get team members on board with your mission and vision.

The Role of Office Manager

In the beginning, it may just be you and a couple of other people. This may find you in the role of office manager because you are the one in charge.

If you can’t afford to hire an office manager or even an administrative assistant in the beginning, it may be on you to stock the breakroom, clean the bathroom, and dust and vacuum your lobby.

This can certainly take away from your very important duties.

It’s a good idea to outsource this job as soon as you can.  Put someone else in charge of the breakroom and hire a cleaning service. Then, you can concentrate on your vital role as the business owner.

The Role of Handyman/ Handywoman

Just as you might find yourself in the role of office manager, you will just as easily be the person everyone goes to when something breaks.

For example, you may be the one fixing computers or even setting them up. Or, you might be putting together new office chairs and desks, decorating, and hanging pictures.

You may love this role, and you may feel it’s right in your purview. A good leader is also okay with doing this work in the early stages.

Finally, it might also be a good diversion in an otherwise hectic work week.

The Role of Hiring Guru

This is one your most important human resources roles. Why? Without a strong, solid team, your startup isn’t going to succeed.

It’s up to you to find the most talented crew possible. It’s then equally your responsibility to design the company culture you want at your startup.

Remember that bad hires cost you a lot of money, so the more you can hire right the first time, the better off you’ll be.

When playing the role of hiring guru, have the mantra that recruiting is an ongoing job. For example, you might find yourself at a networking event, and you meet just the right person for your marketing director.

It’s always a good idea to keep a list of qualified people you meet, and when you’re ready to hire for a specific position, you can give them a call.

To Conclude

Your ultimate goal as the founder of a startup is to manage a successful company. To do this, it means you must often wear multiple hats, juggling multi-tasking with the best in the industry.

Does this mean you should always wear multiple hats?

While you do want your hand in every aspect of your business in the beginning, it is okay to delegate some of those tasks into the able hands of others.

It’s especially a good idea to outsource some of your human resources responsibilities so you can concentrate on growing your business and watching it succeed.

Are you a new startup ready to succeed? Are you looking to get your new business off the ground and watch it rise to success? We are here for you. We can help answer your questions and guide you through the process. Outsource your HR duties, finances, payroll and more to us. Contact Escalon today to get started.