Picture this: it's 2 a.m., your startup's app just crashed, and you've got a major client demo at 8 a.m. It's in these high-pressure moments when you learn the true meaning of "team resilience". Hello, I'm Matt Monday and I've been in the startup trenches where adaptability, endurance, and resilience are more than just buzzwords—they're the lifeblood of survival and success.

My journey in the startup world began as the founder of Karma Store, Inc., a purpose-driven tech company. Over time, I've worked in numerous roles and environments, from leading Product at Atlas Financial and STRV to diving into entrepreneurial ventures like Human and Maslo. Along the way, I realized a universal truth: the success of a startup doesn't just rely on an innovative product or a sizeable market—it's fundamentally about the people you journey with.

One anecdote that comes to mind happened at Maslo. What went wrong at the "digital life coach" startup? I was accepted into an accelerator in Los Angeles. The idea and prototype were great. But I didn't have a co-founder, and ran out of energy (and money) to bring it to the next level! Your startup team matters!

What Exactly Matters?

Hiring for resilience: Identifying resilience during the hiring process is crucial. It's not just about skills and experience but also about adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and a positive attitude towards challenges. During my stint at Atlas Financial, I looked for candidates who could demonstrate these qualities. Not surprisingly, these individuals often turned out to be our rockstars in crisis situations.

Building a resilient culture: Resilience should be embedded in the organizational culture. Encourage open communication, foster a learning mindset, and value persistence. During my time at Feedback Loop, we instituted a "Fail Fast, Learn Faster" principle, which encouraged taking risks and learning from failures.

Leadership and resilience: As a leader, it's your job to model resilience. How you react to challenges significantly influences your team. Maintaining composure, showing optimism, and creating an environment where it's okay to make mistakes have been essential components of my leadership style.

Finding lessons in Failure

In the startup world, setbacks are common. When our app crashed the night before a major demo at STRV, it was the team's resilient spirit that saved the day. We spent the night fixing bugs, and by morning, we were ready to rock the demo. This incident reminded us that mistakes and failures aren't roadblocks but stepping stones towards success.

A resilient team is unstoppable. They can turn a crashing app into an opportunity for growth, a setback into a learning experience, and an idea into a reality. That's how we secured our first 10 paying customers at Futureloop.

In the ever-changing landscape of startups, the resilience of a team isn't just a good-to-have; it's the secret sauce to enduring success.

Building a resilient team is an ongoing process filled with challenges and victories. But the investment is worth it, for the result is a team that can withstand pressures, adapt to changes, and drive your startup to success. I invite you to embrace resilience and experience the transformation it brings—not just to your team, but your entire startup journey.

What are your stories of resilience? How have you fostered it in your teams? Let's continue the conversation!

Remember, when it comes to startups, it's all about the journey, and every journey is better with a resilient team by your side.