Growth Factorials

Over the years, I have built and scaled businesses multiple times. I have learnt that one thing that truly drives the scale of impact you can make is your ability to build a high-performing, mission-oriented team.

It is a truth I have lived repeatedly. A truth which came with its own share of challenges, tough decisions, and, many sleepless nights.

When You Start from Scratch

There were times when I had to build the team from scratch. This is an ideal scenario in many ways because you have the freedom to set the agenda, define the culture, and recruit with a sharp filter. Apart from skills, you can hire for alignment with your mission, hunger to grow, and entrepreneurial grit.

This team building process can be slow and iterative. Many of your hiring decisions will go wrong and you need the courage to correct them as soon as you realise them. Building a core team you can fully rely on takes time—often a year or two.

When You Inherit a Team

Then there is the other scenario: inheriting a team. This can feel like a coin toss.

If you are lucky, you will inherit a team that is aligned with your vision and ready to run with it. They just need direction and clarity to unleash their potential.

But more often, especially when you are tasked with driving a difficult mission, you will find yourself working with a team whose expectations or value systems don’t align with what the mission demands. And that’s where things get tricky.

Unfortunately, you don’t have the luxury of time. Take too long to assess whether the team is right for the journey, and you risk your mission faltering. Quick decisions and bold actions are necessary. You need team members who are fully aligned with the mission, and are willing to go all out to make it a reality. Anything less will not work.

This means having honest conversations, being transparent about what the mission demands, and making tough calls when needed.

What a Mission-Oriented Team Looks Like

Regardless of how the team comes together—whether you build it brick by brick or adapt the one you inherit—your goal as a leader is clear: create a team that’s aligned, driven, and unstoppable.

A mission-oriented team is:

• Aligned with your vision: They understand the larger purpose and their role in achieving it.
• Hungry to learn and grow: They are constantly learning and adapting to stay ahead.
• Entrepreneurial in mindset: They don’t get stuck in obstacles; they find a way around them.

My Takeaway

As a leader, one of your biggest responsibilities—and challenges—is to ensure you have the right people by your side. You can not do it all alone, and the wrong team will drain your energy instead of amplifying it.

So, whether you’re building a team from scratch or transforming one you have inherited, remember: that your team is your greatest lever. The sooner you align it with your mission, the faster you will drive impact.