The Path Forward: Leading and Utilizing Support in a Startup

Written by: Chastiny Brown

Managing an extra set of hands can be difficult for a first-time founder. Delegating tasks and trusting your team to execute them is critical to scaling a successful startup. Through the DivInc Internship Program, powered by Blackstone LaunchPad, founders learned how to effectively manage interns while communicating their vision and goals. Building a team isn’t just about offloading work; it’s about fostering a culture of creativity and shared success.

Founders that embraced mentorship, like Allison Hall from Branchly, used tools like Airtable to streamline communication and task management, reaping the benefits of interns’ technical and research skills. However, these successes came with the realization that building a team requires preparation. Startups must establish regular check-ins and provide constructive feedback to ensure the intern’s experience is mutually beneficial. Leveraging project management tools like Airtable or Asana are essential to streamline delegation. Founders must also invest in mentoring, regularly providing feedback, and aligning interns with the company's broader vision.

The interns, in turn, gained critical project management and communication skills. Over 80% of DivInc interns indicated that the program provided them with new skills that they can carry forward into their future careers. Specifically, students highlighted the value they gained from learning how to navigate startup environments, manage projects independently, and communicate effectively with diverse teams.

Whether you’re building your team for the first time or expanding it, DivInc's programs offer invaluable insight into managing, mentoring, and scaling effectively while creating a supportive team culture. Fostering an environment where team members feel valued and are encouraged to innovate goes a long way toward productivity and team development.

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