How many employee levels do startups need?
If you work in public tech, it can feel like there are an dizzying amount of levels.
Manager. Senior manager. Senior executive manager. Deputy chief manager. And of course all the “heads of…” (like me!)
But at a startup, this level ladder should probably be much shorter. Starts with an IC level or two, one managerial level, and a couple exec levels.
These missing level rungs are a blessing and a challenge. On the good end, a smaller ladder keeps bloat out and efficiency in. On the downside, paths upward through the company may be more difficult to see for new hires.
And of course titles can feel free to give out early on but inflation at the beginning can set you up for difficult conversations down the line when you layer that employee.
Loved chatting through all this with Heather Doshay, Hannah Wells, and Josh Steinfeld on our State of Comp webinar today - give me a shout in the comments if you’re a founder or HR pro who wants the link!
#startups #employees #founders
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