MuleSoft’s product development team releases updates every two months. To keep the team focused and upbeat, sprints are named after mountain ranges. For instance, engineers recently reached the summit of Bighorn Mountain and the Andes.
“I’ve never understood the term work/life balance because to me, work is a part of your life,” Schott says. “If you enjoy what you do every day as much as what you do on the weekends, you’re bound to be successful. It’s all about creating a culture where people enjoy challenging work and spending time with their teammates.”
Celebrate small wins
The journey to prosperity at an early stage company can be a real slog. Employees often encounter roadblocks, obstacles and dead ends, and frequent course changes are the norm.
For instance, MuleSoft has had to adapt its offerings and platform as applications and software have migrated to the cloud. The shift has necessitated technology changes and the hiring of sales and marketing professionals who can navigate a complex, strategic sales process and engage corporate executives.
Schott has launched a number of formal recognition programs and events to keep his team motivated as they blaze new trails.
“We reinforce our culture by recognizing transformative players who display the attributes of a Muley,” he says. “We’ve developed 11 owner’s awards that encourage people to think and act like owners.”
Nominated by their peers, award winners are recognized for teamwork, scaling the company and being a strong customer advocate. Nominees’ write-ups are circulated via email so everyone in the company has a chance to share kudos and vote for the best performance. The program boosts morale by creating a stream of positive news especially when momentum lags.
Although there’s only one winner in each category, Schott fosters widespread goodwill by personally congratulating each nominee.
“I recognize people behind the scenes who serve as beacons for everyone else,” Schott says. “Being a cheerleader reinforces the behaviors that emulate the culture you’re trying to create. Through encouragement, your employees will become your cultural ambassadors and leaders.”
Although MuleSoft has earned numerous technical awards and continues to raise investment capital, Schott views his firm’s culture as its most important competitive advantage.
“As tempting as it is, don’t get absorbed in engineering problems or marketing issues,” he says. “Start by envisioning the kind of place you want to build and be intentional and thoughtful about building it. Nothing is more important than the investments you make in people when you’re trying to grow an early stage company.”
Takeaways:
- Create an intentional, thoughtful hiring process and hire amazing people.
- Encourage high achievers by nurturing an empowered work environment.
- Celebrate small wins to keep spirits high.
