We go our whole lives acquiring specialized knowledge. We choose majors, master job roles, and perfect positions. But startups are unlike college, corporate America, or even sports.

There are no second basewomen or second basemen at startups. There are teammates trying to win. I grew up envisioning myself to be the next Roberto Alomar. Focusing on my glove work and turning a double play I got pretty good. Confident in my skills as second baseman, I tried out for one position on my high school baseball team. Second base.

Everyone else was trying out for pitcher + outfield, outfield + third base, third base + catcher. Yet I insisted that I was only going to try out second base; leaving my skills as pitcher and outfielder completely off the table. Needless to say I didn’t make the team.*

I relate this to the startup experience. There are no second basemen.

Everyone has to play multiple positions. Marketers are finance gurus, designers are copyrighters, developers are testers. I’ve seen many MBAs want to put their coding days behind them; or business professionals claiming to be ‘the marketing guy’- individuals looking to try out for second base. No more, no less.

And for those who don’t know how to play multiple positions. Now is a great time to learn. In either case, your startup is counting on you.

Regards,
Marketing/Finance/Community Manager/Business Plan Writer/Project Manager/Product Planner Baseman

Photo by shutter_daddy

*the coach later volunteered that he really wanted me on the team, just didn’t have the roster spots for a second baseman.

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