I took the big leap! From being a Project Manager in a big corp to a PM in a rapidly growing Cybersecurity startup. And as if that wasn’t enough, the team is scattered across the four corners of the planet. This journey is transforming every aspect of how I work and lead, quite the rollercoaster! Here’s what I’m learning day by day.
From corporate to startup: a paradigm shift
Moving from corporate to startup? It’s like diving into ice-cold water after a sauna! In the corporate world, everything runs on rails: established processes, generous budgets, and well-defined roles. In a startup? Creative chaos!
Speed matters more than perfection in a growing startup. The mantra is “good enough to ship” and iterations are the order of the day. With limited resources but zero bureaucracy, I’m learning to work magic with little. And you know what? I’m having a lot more fun!
Managing a remote team: a rollercoaster ride
Coordinating people you meet once in a while is a crazy challenge. But it has its advantages:
- Global talent: We’re hiring incredible people from different places. Really hard in a traditional company!
- Work-life flexibility: Team members can structure their day around when they’re most productive, leading to happier employees and better results.
- Textbook documentation: When you can’t shout to your colleague at the next desk, you document everything perfectly…or at least we try!
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Building trust without face-to-face interactions? Definitely a challenge! Coordinating schedules can be a puzzle when everyone has flexible working hours (try finding a meeting slot that works for the early birds AND the night owls!).
Daily challenges: when problems become opportunities
In this frantic environment, each day could brings a new existential crisis.
- Making crucial decisions with incomplete data? ✅
- Coordinating urgent patches when everyone’s working from different locations? ✅
- Selling a vision without handshakes? ✅
But that’s exactly where the beauty lies. The forced autonomy of remote work is transforming intimidated juniors into confident professionals. And the accelerated pace makes me learn more in one day than in a week at corporate.
Lessons to take home
So, what am I figuring out while managing this team of digital nomads?
- Communicate, communicate, communicate! But do it with intention. No useless meetings, please.
- Trust is a must. Without the ability to physically “check in,” either you learn to trust or you go crazy.
- Flexibility beats perfection. Always.
- Adaptability is not optional. It’s the number one skill in this environment.
I’m discovering that distance is just a number when there’s a solid culture. And that you can build an innovative product even in pajamas (but don’t tell the clients!).
Although the road ahead is long, every day in Baited is an opportunity to reinvent and improve myself.
Project Manager
