In small, bootstrapped companies, you need to focus on what will drive the most impact using the resources you have available. Sometimes that means starting small. At times, teams can try to take on too much at once, and then struggle to deliver because they don’t have the bandwidth to sustain those efforts.

As a leader, you have to be disciplined and realistic – analyze your capacity, set achievable goals, and be strategic with where you prioritize your efforts. That might mean you initially focus on developing a specific asset, content type, or marketing channel, and broaden your efforts over time. Determine what is achievable, execute that, and then adapt your strategy based on performance data insights along the way.

Multitasking is overrated and in some cases, is harmful to quality output. I prefer prioritizing tasks based on deadlines and importance, giving those projects undivided attention to ensure quality – especially when working on tasks that require strategy, creativity, analysis, or precision. Managing several projects simultaneously requires communication, agility, and good judgment to establish clear team expectations while prioritizing efforts that deliver the greatest impact.

Working in teams, I’ve built strong relationships and earned respect by being authentic, supportive, reliable, and not taking things too seriously.

My experience has consistently involved serving others – ensuring team members are supported to do their jobs successfully. I like to roll up my sleeves and contribute where needed to improve outcomes for the larger team.

In my roles, I have provided a critical support system for Sales and Customer Success teams – from onboarding, to product training and team mentoring, to creating collateral assets that build confidence and enable conversion, and by being a go-to resource when they need an extra set of hands.

I describe my work style as “Lead with Levity, Perform with Integrity.” “Lead with levity” means being lighthearted, approachable, and gracious so team members feel secure to ask questions, take risks, and share new perspectives. “Perform with integrity” means to hold yourself accountable and take pride in your work, no matter the task. Together, these principles encourage an honest, empathetic, and motivating team environment.

When working across departments, ideas and requirements can get lost in translation. To establish alignment, it’s critical to be perceptive, anticipate potential conflicts, and communicate as clearly as possible. For clarity, I like communicating ideas in multiple formats and emphasizing the WHY to ensure understanding and buy-in.

When dealing with conflict, it’s important to find common ground. Most conflict stems from a communication breakdown. It’s important to be empathetic and understanding, even if you disagree. Attack the problem, not the person, and determine a solution that supports overarching goals. And once a decision is made, have the resilience to disagree AND commit.

To build strong relationships, above all, be human. Celebrate people’s strengths, embrace unique points of view, admit your own mistakes, and show grace to others if they make mistakes – this builds a strong team.