Dave Bailey's Blog

A practical insight that can help you, and your team, find meaning in your daily work.

We all need a sense of purpose in our lives, but when we can’t find one, it can...

New companies usually have few processes in place, so team members are often encouraged to ‘figure it out’. But as the team grows, so does the complexity.

In a previous essay on delegation, I suggested two principles that can help you delegate more effectively: (i) delegate problems, not tasks, and (ii) coach, don’t...

Ten years ago, I learnt a critical lesson about recruiting while I was sitting on a bus.

How effective are your one-on-ones?

Most managers will say theirs are great. However, one study has shown that employees often leave one-on-ones less...

Do you recognise this scenario?

You have an employee who’s been with you a long time. They’ve stuck with you through thick and thin, the team loves them, and you...

When a company is small, founders have a huge personal influence on company culture. Their behaviours, both good and bad, seep into the team fabric and provide a...

As a manager, your team may often come to you with problems. If you take this as your cue to offer opinions or make suggestions, you run the risk of setting a dysfunctional...

Ask someone at an early-stage company what they do and you’ll probably get the answer: ‘A little bit of everything.’

A lack of role clarity usually...

Every leader wants to get the best performance from their team. In startups, the importance of learning on the job and continuous employee development can’t be...