Darja Gutnick’s Post

Neglecting employee feelings isn't just bad for morale; it's bad for business. Especially in the startup world, survival is the game you play. But when managers push employees too hard and treat them poorly just to win the game, you’re hurting your people 💔 > Their trust towards the company dips > They no longer feel strongly attached to the company > They start losing their psychological connection towards the company When mistreated, employees are the first to jump ship. Manpower goes down 📉 Worse? You run out of time faster than you realise. Imagine a product development lifecycle is 6 months 🔨 If someone leaves, it could take 1-2 months to find a replacement. It might take another 2-3 months to train the new person to operate at full productivity. That's the whole product lifecycle gone. Meanwhile, competitors can beat you to market 🥊 When we start understanding the “heart” of employees - > What makes them feel connected? > What makes them engaged at work? > What makes them ever resilient during tough times? > etc. We’re on our way to prevent morale getting impacted, time getting wasted, money getting burnt and the following snowball effects. (something that I got out of a high-value conversation 💡) What’s your thoughts on this? -- I’m curious about understanding the “heart” of founders and employees, which drives my MSc research into psychological ownership 🧠 It’s how individuals feel attached to a target, and their extent to feel like they own the target (“This is mine”). I’ll be looking at these in startups/ scale-ups! Currently I’m looking for participants: > Aged 18 and above > Currently or previously part of a UK-based startup/scale-up > Founders with >5 years of experience in startups/scale-ups > Employees with >5 years in startups/scale-ups If this sounds right up your alley, comment "ownership" in the comments below💡 #research #occupationalpsychology #startups

I think "in times such as these" we are all dealing with what we think is stress and burnout. However, this article was highlighted some of those unique to startup founders and leaders: In the dynamic world of startups, leaders are often at the forefront of innovation and change. However, this journey is not without its challenges. A recent article sheds light on the mental and emotional toll that startup founders frequently endure, including lifestyle changes, increased feelings of burnout, and a decrease in quality time with loved ones. 🔍 The statistics are eye-opening: 50% of leaders report a decrease in exercise. 42% confess to adopting unhealthy eating habits. A significant number experience increased insomnia and feelings of burnout. 64% note less quality time spent with family and friends. 58% of founders report instances of depression. 51% report lacking a support system. These challenges highlight the critical need for strong emotional intelligence (EQ) in navigating the complex landscape of entrepreneurship. EQ not only empowers leaders to manage their own emotions but also to foster healthier relationships with their team and family, ensuring a more balanced approach to work and life. 🌱 As a growth coaching who utilizes EQ-i 2.0 as a foundation, I understand the unique pressures faced by startup leaders. Our EQ-based coaching services are designed to support you in enhancing emotional awareness and resilience, promoting a leadership style that is both effective and sustainable. 💡 Whether it's through developing stress management strategies, improving communication skills, or finding a healthier work-life balance, investing in your emotional intelligence can transform the way you lead and live. https://lnkd.in/gm-GhCug #StartupLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #EQCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkLifeBalance #StartupChallenges #MentalHealthAwareness

🚀 Exploring Fear Tactics in Startup Culture: How to Navigate as an Employee 🛠️ In the dynamic world of startups, we often encounter various leadership styles. Some CEOs resort to fear tactics as a means to drive performance, but it's essential for employees to understand how to handle such situations effectively. 🚫 What are Fear Tactics? Fear tactics involve the use of intimidation, pressure, or threats to motivate employees. This approach can create short-term results but often leads to long-term negative consequences such as decreased morale and burnout. 🤝 How to Handle Fear Tactics: 1. **Open Communication:** Initiate a conversation with your CEO or immediate supervisor. Express your concerns and ask for clarity on expectations. 2. **Seek Feedback:** Request specific feedback on your performance to understand where improvements are needed. This can demystify the fear-driven approach. 3. **Stay Informed:** Knowledge is power. Understand your rights and protections as an employee, ensuring you're not subjected to any unlawful tactics. 4. **Self-Care:** Prioritize self-care to maintain your well-being. Mental and emotional health should never be compromised. 5. **Team Unity:** Collaborate with colleagues to share experiences and support one another. Unity can help mitigate the impact of fear tactics. 6. **Documentation:** Keep records of interactions or instances where fear tactics are used. This can be valuable if the need arises to escalate the issue. 💪 Rise Above Fear: Startup culture thrives on innovation, creativity, and collaboration. Fear tactics may offer short-term gains, but they rarely foster a sustainable and healthy work environment. As employees, let's champion a culture of trust, respect, and growth, ensuring that our startups thrive in the long run. 🚀 #StartupCulture #Leadership #EmployeeWellbeing Remember, it's crucial to stand up for your rights and well-being while striving for a positive workplace environment. Together, we can create a stronger, more resilient startup ecosystem! 👏🌟

Monday Motivation: Building Psychological Safety – The Key to Unlocking Startup Innovation Think of the last time you felt truly safe to suggest a wild idea at work. No judgment, no fear of looking silly – just the sense that your team would hear you out. That's psychological safety, and it's essential fuel for innovation. Most startups talk about wanting a fearless, fail-forward culture. But it's impossible without psychological safety. Here's why it matters and how to start building it today, even in the scrappiest early stages. Why Psychological Safety is a Superpower Teams Take Smarter Risks: Mistakes are inevitable in a startup, but they shouldn't be paralyzing. When people feel safe, they experiment and push boundaries, which leads to breakthroughs. Diverse Ideas Flourish: The best solutions come from a mix of perspectives. Inclusive cultures, where EVERYONE feels safe to contribute, unlock the full potential of your team. Problems Get Solved Faster When people can raise concerns or point out flaws without repercussions, you avoid small issues escalating into major crises. Quick Action Tips Leaders, Own the Vibe: Model vulnerability. Admit your own mistakes, celebrate learning from failure, and genuinely invite constructive feedback. Focus on 'Why' Not 'Who': When problems arise, shift the focus from blaming individuals to understanding systemic causes. Intentional Appreciation: Publicly recognize those who risk something new, even if it didn't fully work out. Reward the behavior you want to see more of. Fostering psychological safety takes time and ongoing effort. It's NOT about being soft, it's about unlocking the full potential of your team, no matter how bumpy the startup journey gets. What's ONE thing you can do this week to create a more psychologically safe space for your team? Share in the comments! #StartupCulture #HR #EmployeeEngagement #FutureofStartupHR #PsychologicalSafety

🚀 Unlocking Startup Success: Embrace Honest Feedback for Growth 🌱 Is your startup team all smiles, or is there more beneath the surface? Founder and Chief of Staff, Sarah Lee, shares insights on the importance of genuine feedback in fostering a thriving startup culture. 🔍 Exclusive positivity might signal a problem. Are your employees comfortable sharing honest thoughts? Lee emphasizes the need to create a safe space for open dialogue. 📊 Lee's startup uses a monthly survey with 5 questions, promoting quick and actionable feedback. Anonymous channels have proven invaluable for deeper insights, even on sensitive topics. 🗣️ Leadership sets the tone. Encourage team members to voice concerns without fear of repercussions. Actively seek and address feedback, demonstrating respect for diverse opinions. 🌐 Startup success lies in a culture of openness. By valuing both positive and constructive feedback, startups can navigate growth challenges and emerge as thriving workplaces. Read more on how Lee's startup cultivates success through feedback: https://lnkd.in/dQr64PkU #StartupSuccess #FeedbackCulture #EmployeeWellbeing #Leadership #StartupGrowth #ReadMore

Think about the #best experience you’ve had so far. A group of people working towards a common binding purpose. It feels good to be a part of that experience, you feel energized, inspired, free, and most importantly, #safe. No second-guessing or pretentiousness. In an experience like that, we feel comfortable if a mistake is made, we admit it, we learn, and we don’t manage an image of ourselves. We seek help and respectfully challenge ideas, disagree and commit to deliver, and have a sense of humour without fear of humiliation, embarrassment, or shame. We are imperfect, and no one uses our weaknesses, points a finger and brings us down. At a fundamental level, we feel "psychologically safe" in this space. And, I disagree with all those who believe that such a space doesn’t exist and is a theoretical concept. Maybe, it’s far and few between. I feel blessed today that at all my workplaces I feel psychologically safe. It brings a sense of #joy and #performance. I have experienced feeling safe and unsafe at work to understand the impact. #stress #burnout And, this isn’t like an on or off switch, it’s a sliding scale that works on constant improvement of yourself (self-worth) and your #environment. We all possess it at varying degrees. This is one of the most important factors to drive #highperformance and #care at #work. It is not just your #company responsibility alone, but yours too. Are we aware of how to #contribute to building a #psychologicallysafe place? Has your #company ever measured psychological safety at work? Please share your thoughts.. dm if that makes you feel safer. Your perspectives will help me learn especially to build and nurture #psychologicallysafe #startups. 🙏 #startup #management #leadership #leadershipdevelopment

Building a healthy company culture is no easy feat, but it’s one of the most rewarding parts of creating a successful startup. We recently asked our Cohort 6 at Vision Health Pioneers Incubator what they’ve learned about this journey, and their insights are gold. 🌟 "Without being committed and cooperative, the goal of the project cannot be achieved." It all starts with a shared commitment and a cooperative spirit. When everyone is on the same page, great things happen. 🗝️"Communication is key." This might seem obvious, but it's worth repeating. Clear, open, and honest communication forms the backbone of any healthy culture. 🗣️ "Open communication, clear tasks and responsibilities, feedback every month." Transparency in tasks and responsibilities paired with regular feedback keeps everyone aligned and engaged. It's about fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and valued. 🔍 "Communicate stress and capabilities transparently." Being open about stress levels and individual capabilities isn’t just about preventing burnout—it’s about building trust and understanding within the team. These insights remind us that at the heart of every successful project is a team that communicates openly and supports each other. Let's keep striving for healthier, more resilient company cultures together. Thank you for your tips team Hope for Men and team coobi! How do you foster a healthy culture in your company? What’s one change you think would make the biggest impact? Share your thoughts and experiences below! 👇 #companyculture #startups #leadership #teamwork #mentalhealth #visionhealthpioneersincubator #entrepreneurship

The key to a successful and sustainable startup culture lies in maintaining a balance between dedication and well-being. Overvaluing overwork leads to burnout and diminished productivity, stifling innovation and creativity. High turnover, micromanagement, and neglect of mental health are all red flags that indicate deeper issues. Trust, autonomy, and support are essential for a healthy culture. Take stock of these signs to evaluate and transform your startup culture for a healthier, more productive work environment. How does your startup culture measure up? Post credit Roberto Croci

𝑩𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒍𝒆 | 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝑳𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒂𝒏 𝑳𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒐 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑯𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 As we all know in this industry, it's super easy to get caught up in the hustle and constantly chase growth without any balance. But from my experience working with dozens of startups, the most sustainable and impactful companies are led by founders who make their well-being a priority. When you take the time each day to be present, understand your values, and show empathy - it completely changes your mindset. You're able to make much wiser decisions because your thinking is clearer. You also attract and retain the right people who believe in the same mission. Some of the startups I've seen thrive the most are led by people who meditate daily, spend quality time with their families, and recharge themselves continuously. As a result, they're far more resilient when challenges hit. They bounce back quickly and find innovative solutions. I've also seen it directly impact the bottom line. Teams feel trusted and supported, so they're highly engaged and productive. Customers can sense the company's purpose and connect with the brand on a deeper level too. In the startup hustle, “conscious living” offers success without sacrificing well-being. It’s more than meditation—it’s intentional living: 📌Be present: Clear decisions, spot opportunities, connect genuinely. 📌Know your values: Align your company, attract the right people, inspire growth. 📌Cultivate empathy: Foster a positive work environment, build robust relationships. 📌Self-care is strategic: A well-rested founder excels in leadership and problem-solving. Benefits: 📌Productivity and creativity: A relaxed mind leads to better decisions and innovation. 📌Employee engagement: Valued teams are happier, more loyal, and productive. 📌Resilience: Navigate challenges adeptly in the startup journey. 📌Brand loyalty: Clear values attract customers who share your mission. At the end of the day, if you want to build something that lasts, you need to last as a leader yourself. Approaching your work with presence and care isn't just good for the business, it's good for you and your own wellbeing too. So I encourage all founders to integrate conscious living practices right from the start. It really does launch your startup to new heights!

A mini-blog on something I think about quite a lot... 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 “𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵” There is constant pressure in our lives to improve everything – get more #productive, meet fitness #goals, make #more money, #grow businesses faster. Leaders use metrics and data to keep 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 for better. But chasing endless progress can make us undervalue “𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩.” 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘨𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴. Some startups quickly find customers who like their products. “Good enough” would mean enjoying success without changing much. But smart founders challenge the idea of 'coasting' to reshape products in risky new ways to dominate markets constantly. Conversely, pushing staff too hard to grow fast leads to burnout. Here, “good enough” means realizing reasonable growth and work-life balance actually 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 temporary gains from long hours. Sometimes good enough works best. Research shows small, gradual gains over decades add up to excellence. Lasting success at work, health and relationships need rest, reflection and renewal – 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 by accepting times when good enough suffices. But good enough can also limit potential if used as an #excuse for coasting. There seems to be a need for balance between striving upward and feeling content today. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. This requires #humility to admit we don’t know everything. Maybe the right move is to keep questioning if “staying the same” feels comfortable versus if I am ignoring early signs of decline. Every great success has pivotal moments where leaders challenged the status quo to aim higher. But meaningful lives call for #wisdom to know when to rest and when to push on, when to give thanks and when to build better. Our greatest opportunity comes not from chasing perfect results constantly, but from matching ambitious vision with compassion to enjoy the #journey. -------------------------- 👍, ❤️, 🔁 & comment. I'm here for the conversation