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Welcome to the 2021 Biomimicry Launchpad! Email us if you have any questions.
Now that we have covered many of the essential building blocks of bringing a project to life, it is time to turn our attention to the most important piece of them all: YOU! A startup simply does not exist without the individuals leading the effort. At this moment in time, you, the founders, are the most important thing to your project. This week we will help you align as individuals, and as a team. We are going to encourage you to have deep, sometimes difficult, conversations with each other. Our goal this week is to give you some best practices on how to have meaningful conversations with your team.
This week's content is organized a bit differently. For best results, have everyone on your team read through the content in its entirety, and then select one person to facilitate a team meeting (this week's assignment), following the steps outlined below. For individuals without a team, identify a few mentors or coaches who will be willing to do this activity with you.
Background information about startup teams
Background information about startup teams
First things first. Know that every startup goes through "people problems". According to a CB Insights report, more than half of startups fail due to people problems, with 23% failing because they do not have the right team. Some people would even say that all of the reasons on the list relate back to the founders, and how they work together.
We are not sharing this statistic to scare you, but to motivate you to take this week's content seriously. The best time to talk about your team, with your team, is when things are going well. If you have been having some conflict, then this week's activity will help you navigate through and address that head on.
Remember that at this stage YOU are your startup. Make sure you take care of yourself and your team members so that you can do your best work.
Importance of Team.mov
Before you get started, have everyone on your team take the free, High 5 strength finders test. Use the link we sent in the email so that you can see the strengths of all Biomimicry Launchpad participants.
1) Setting the context & ground rules
1) Setting the context & ground rules
Before you start any meeting, it is important to for everyone to understand why you are meeting. What is the purpose of this meeting? What do you hope to accomplish? You should also set some ground rules, such as; during this meeting we will not be checking email, we will not speak over each other, and we will refrain from assigning blame.
We encourage you to meet this week to talk about your team. Some goals you may want to achieve include learning how to work best with each other, identifying how much time and energy you can each commit to the startup, and understanding your varying levels of commitment.
2) Stating your purpose
2) Stating your purpose
Now that you are all together and aligned around your context, take some time to practice Connection Before Content. This is a practice that will start your meeting by sharing your individual purpose for being there. To do this, ask everyone to answer a question that is meant to expose some vulnerability. Some suggested questions are below:
What are you aiming to achieve at work, and what about that is important?
What compelled you to say yes to this project?
What is important about this project, and what about that is important to your own purpose?
Video from We and Me explaining the theory of Connection Before Content.
REFLECTION
Without critiquing anyone's answers, talk about the similarities and differences that arose through this activity. Discuss your individual visions for the startup. Do you see yourself working on this company 2, 5, or 10 years into the future?
At this point, everyone has different levels of commitment they can give to the project - how does that shape your founding team and how you work together?
How does your individual purpose tie into the purpose and mission of your startup?
3) Sharing your strengths
3) Sharing your strengths
Now, let's switch gears to talk about work your different work styles. To do so, make sure everyone on your team has completed the High 5 Test and knows their strengths. As a group, share and discuss your strengths with each other. How do your strengths complement each other? How may they cause conflict? How can you leverage each others strengths to build your startup? Do your team's strengths align with your different roles and responsibilities?
4) Identifying your weaknesses
4) Identifying your weaknesses
The conversation about strengths will likely transition into a conversation about weaknesses. Use this time to talk about things that drain your energy. More often than not, one of your team members will gladly step up to take over that action!
At this point you can also state things that bother you, but don't point fingers! Practice by saying: "When _____ happens, I feel _________ because _______, and I would prefer for _______ to happen instead."
For example, you may get annoyed when someone does not respond to your email or text. This is a great opportunity to bring that up, but make sure you offer a solution! The conversation might go like this: "When I do not receive an email response, I feel frustrated because I am not able to get my work done. I would prefer if we figure out a better communication system or procedure. Perhaps we can start using Slack?"
PRO TIP: If things start to get too heated, reset the conversation by acknowledging why you are having this conversation. Don't lose sight of your collective purpose!
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, and INCLUSION
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, and INCLUSION
Now we are going to spend some time talking about diversity & inclusion on your team, and why environmental justice is a key component of our work with biomimicry.
At the Biomimicry Institute, we are participating in several anti-racism and bias trainings, and our staff is having ongoing discussions based on materials provided by the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC). We are in the process of learning right alongside you, and we would be happy to share any resources or ideas on how to bring this important work into your startup.
The lessons and quotes below are from the NMAAHC website Talking About Race. They examine racism and bias through the lens of American History.
"Since we all have an assigned racial identity, we can all benefit from learning about race. And, by learning and understanding the origins and meanings of racial inequity, we can all benefit from a shared understanding. This understanding can help make our society more equitable and can be a catalyst for change."
To get started, please review this lesson about Bias, which is "a preference in favor of, or against a person, group of people or thing. These initial human reactions, which are often unconscious, are rooted in inaccurate information or reason and are potentially harmful. Biases are also part of being human. Once we know and accept we have bias, we can begin to recognize our own patterns of thinking. With awareness and a conscious effort, we have the power to change how we think and to challenge the negative or harmful biases within ourselves."
RACISM = Racial Prejudice (Unfounded Beliefs + Irrational Fear) + Institutional Power
"Race does not biologically exist, yet how we identify with race is so powerful, it influences our experiences and shapes our lives. In a society that privileges white people and whiteness, racist ideas are considered normal throughout our media, culture, social systems, and institutions. Historically, racist views justified the unfair treatment and oppression of people of color (including enslavement, segregation, internment, etc.)."
"We can be led to believe that racism is only about individual mindsets and actions, yet racist policies also contribute to our polarization. While individual choices are damaging, racist ideas in policy have a wide-spread impact by threatening the equity of our systems and the fairness of our institutions. To create an equal society, we must commit to making unbiased choices and being antiracist in all aspects of our lives." To do this, we must be antiracist and actively fight against racism. Please review this lesson about Being Antiracist.
TED Talk about how diversity boosts team performance.
As someone creating solutions to environmental and climate challenges, it is important to be aware of the fact that Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) are the most likely to be affected by climate change and pollution because of systemic racism. Watch the video to the right, and read this article about Environmental Racism from the World Economic Forum.
If we want to address critical sustainability and environmental issues, we must first recognize and address the systems and forms of oppression that have led us to this point in time. Here is a good article from Forbes for business leaders about how to get started addressing environmental and systemic racism.
In addition to doing the right thing and proactively fighting systemic racism, there is strong evidence that diversity is good for business ROI.
Complete this lesson about Building a Diverse Workforce from Techstars. In what ways will you and your team commit to diversity?
According to Techstars, diverse teams in their portfolio outperform their peers.
Gender diverse companies are 15% more likely to outperform.
Racially & ethnically diverse companies are 35% more likely to outperform.
Do your part to create a diverse leadership team - it will help you create the best and most impactful product, company, and change that is possible.
Watch this video from Grist about Environmental Justice, and why it is a key part of addressing climate and environmental issues.
How does nature maintain diversity?
The greater the amount of variation within an ecosystem, the more resilient that ecosystem is to disturbances. Just like a healthy habitat in nature thrives on a diversity of organisms, healthy organizations thrive with a diverse team.
Explore these biological strategies on AskNature to learn how nature maintains biodiversity, resulting in greater resilience and stability.
5) Setting your rituals
5) Setting your rituals
Now that you are wrapping up your meeting, take some time to acknowledge your "rituals", or come up with some new ones! We have found that rituals (or traditions) are an incredibly important part of starting a startup. By setting these rituals early, and practicing them often, you will be creating a solid culture for your team. It is important that ALL team members take part in these rituals - no excuses!
Some examples of rituals you may want to start include:
Weekly team meeting to check in about the status of work, and plan for the week ahead
Side note - We have found this to be one of the top things any young startup can implement. Remember, no excuses!
Monthly celebration of successes and failures
Quarterly volunteer event at a local non-profit
Yearly report to friends, family, supporters, and customers
6) Taking next steps
6) Taking next steps
You did it! You held a successful (maybe at times hard) team meeting. We encourage you to continue to have these conversations, especially as you grow your startup and encounter rough spots along the way.
To close out this week's content, consider some of the following next steps:
How will you ensure you follow through on what you commit to as a team?
We will briefly address this in Week 10 when we talk about incorporating as a company. There are some legal protections you will need to put in place, namely in an operating agreement.
Do you need to recruit any new team members?
There is no right answer about where or how to find new teammates. Our best suggestion is to network locally, and try to identify someone with complementary strengths and experiences to your own.
Reconnect
Reconnect
Take a break! You have been working hard and nature can help rejuvenate you! Research about nature's effects on our physiological and psychological health has been confirming what many of us already knew: spending time in nature is truly good for our health! This week, spend some time outdoors to refresh and inspire you so you may continue to push things forward. Pay attention to how you feel before and after you've enjoyed some “Vitamin N” (how some thinkers are referring to exposure to nature).
Assignments
Assignments
Take your High 5 Test to learn about your strengths.
Set aside a few hours to have a team meeting this week, following the outline above.
No need for a full report about the meeting, but let your startup coaches know how things go!
What rituals do you already have with your team? Will you be adding anything else?
Continue to talk to customers and work on your prototype.
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