Day 278 of 1,095: The Art of Building the Right Team

Day 278 of 1,095: The Art of Building the Right Team

Today was one of those days that swings between vastly different worlds. It started with the heavy reality of an ongoing war and ended with the challenge of building the right team for our startup. Somewhere in between, it managed to circle back to the war again.

But in the midst of this whirlwind, I’ve found myself laser-focused on one key task: finding the right co-founder to lead product development. This isn’t just about choosing a partner; it’s about building the foundation of something much larger than ourselves.

The Key Insight: There’s no such thing as a “dream team.” There’s only the right team for the mission.

Through this process, I’ve come to a critical realization: a great team isn’t defined by some universal formula. The best teams are the ones uniquely suited to the specific mission, stage, and challenges at hand. They complement each other, filling in gaps and amplifying strengths.

The Founders’ Dilemma

By now, anyone who’s made it to the final round of consideration has proven they belong here.

• They’re capable.
• They’re committed.
• They’re the kind of person I’d grab a beer with after a long day.
• They embody the professional, entrepreneurial, and personal values we’ve outlined for this role.

So, what’s the real challenge?

1. Deciding who gets the role.
2. Figuring out how to keep the other exceptional candidates involved in the startup.

These are the questions that keep me up at night, and they’re not ones I can answer alone. This is where advice from seasoned founders and investors who’ve walked this path becomes invaluable.

Why This Matters

Let me pause and remind myself why this process is so important. We’re not just building a team; we’re creating something to help people—combat veterans, first responders, and others suffering from trauma—develop resilience and grow from their experiences.

Every decision we make today directly impacts whether we can fulfill that mission tomorrow.

The Bigger Picture

In the next few weeks, we’ll finalize our founding team and flip the switch to fully focus on bringing this vision to life. It’s an exciting moment, but it’s also a heavy responsibility. I don’t take it lightly, and neither does anyone on this journey with me.

To my LinkedIn network:

• Have you faced similar challenges in building your team?
• How did you balance the need to choose while keeping others engaged?

I’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences, or advice. Let’s learn from each other—because at the end of the day, the team we build defines the future we create.

Eliav.