I’d rather have a small team of A-players than a big team of dead weight.
When I reflect on what transformed Goodshuffle from a scrappy startup into the company it is today, my answer isn’t about features or funding — it’s about people.
At our recent User Summit, Co-Founder Erik Dreyer shared a pivotal moment when the team was just five people strong. Our sixth hire quickly proved to be misaligned with company values — like “a teaspoon of water in the ship’s oil.” When Erik and Co-Founder Andrew Garcia finally made the tough call to let this person go less than 60 days later, the collective sigh of relief from the team was immediate.
That experience fundamentally changed how we approach team building. As Andrew puts it: “I would rather have a small number of well-paid, talented, kind, passionate individuals that are paid at the top of the market.”
Here’s what I’ve learned about creating exceptional teams:
💰 Hiring mistakes are costly beyond the paycheck. That early misstep showed us how one person can disrupt an entire culture. Now our hiring process is designed to find people who not only have the skills but also embody our values.
🔓 Trust and autonomy fuel performance. We’ve created an environment of “psychological safety, empowerment, agency, and autonomy,” making it clear that with that agency and empowerment comes a responsibility of communicating the choices you’re making.
🤝 Alignment requires intention. Our company all-hands meetings aren’t just for updates — they ensure we’re “deeply aligned in our company mission.” We move fast, so these rituals help us understand not just the mission but each other, fostering human connection.
⭐ Values must be lived, not just posted. Our four company values — show up, speak up, sincerely care, and learn from everything — aren’t just marketing lingo put up on a wall. They guide every decision, from who we hire to how we build our products.
The beautiful truth is that exceptional employees create exceptional experiences for your customers. When everyone on your team is performing at their best, you can loosen controls, trust their judgment, and watch your business thrive.
Team rituals are a huge part of creating a top-tier company culture, too. Want to make the most of your team meetings? Reply to this email and I’ll share my meeting agendas!
See you next Monday,
Mallory Mullen
Goodshuffle
