The Power of Small Teams and Sharing Your Work in Public

The Power of Small Teams and Sharing Your Work in Public

In the world of business and entrepreneurship, the size of a team is often associated with success. The more people you have, the more tasks can be accomplished, right? Well, not always. Pocket, a popular app that allows users to save articles and videos for later viewing, challenges this notion. With just 20 employees, Pocket was able to reach an impressive milestone of 20 million users. How did they do it? Let's explore the story behind Pocket's success and the lessons we can learn from it.

One of the key takeaways from Pocket's journey is that a smaller team fosters a razor focus. When you have fewer people, it becomes harder to stray from what's critically important. With a small headcount, Pocket's founder, Nate Weiner, was able to keep the company's culture concentrated during its formative years. This culture was built on trust, scrappiness, and ownership. The lesson here is that when it comes to company culture, think stews, not salads. Start with a few choice ingredients and let them simmer together. This allows for a better understanding of what the culture delivers and lacks, compared to tossing everything together from the start.

Furthermore, a small team allows for bonds and a common worldview to form more quickly. Complex hierarchies are less likely to get in the way, enabling the team to work more closely together. Additionally, a smaller team can find ways to make people outside of their walls feel like part of the company. This sense of inclusivity is vital for building a strong user base and fostering loyalty. Pocket's team often asks themselves, "How can we make it simpler for all involved?" By simplifying their product and not reinventing the wheel, they create a user-friendly experience that keeps people coming back.

On the other hand, there is a growing trend towards sharing one's work in public. While some studies suggest that keeping goals private can increase motivation, others argue that sharing progress can be beneficial. Austin Kleon, author of "Show Your Work," encourages individuals to become documentarians of what they do. By sharing your work in public, you have the opportunity to reflect, plan your next steps, and stay motivated.

Sharing your work in public also allows for a more iterative approach. It ensures that what you're working on aligns with the needs you have identified. Great ideas often stem from a network of information within a transparent community. By sharing your ideas, you increase the likelihood of connecting the dots between your ideas and other people's ideas. This can lead to valuable collaborations and partnerships.

Moreover, sharing your work in public helps you connect with like-minded individuals. It opens doors to finding mentors and expanding your network. Joining online groups or attending offline meetups can provide valuable connections and support. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but over time, sharing your work in public becomes easier and more natural.

However, it's important to note that sharing your work should not overshadow the actual work itself. It should be done in a way that fits within your workflow and enhances productivity and creativity. When done properly, sharing your work in public becomes a habit that fuels your progress. It becomes strange to work in a vacuum, isolated from the feedback and support of others.

So, what actionable advice can we take from both Pocket's success and the case for sharing your work in public? Here are three key takeaways:

1. Embrace a small team mentality: Focus on what's critically important, foster a strong company culture, and find ways to include others in your journey. Remember, it's not about the size of the team, but the impact they can make.

2. Share your work in public: Whether it's through social media, blogging, or attending industry events, don't be afraid to put your work out there. Reflect, plan, and stay motivated by connecting with others who share your interests.

3. Prioritize the actual work: While sharing your work is important, ensure that it doesn't overshadow the work itself. Find a balance that allows you to share progress while still making significant strides towards your goals.

In conclusion, the stories of Pocket's success and the benefits of sharing your work in public demonstrate the power of focus, community, and collaboration. By embracing a small team mentality and sharing your work with others, you can achieve remarkable results. So, whether you're building a startup or pursuing personal projects, remember that impact is not solely determined by the size of the team, but by the dedication, focus, and connections you foster along the way.