What Can You Expect From a Team Leader at OG?

When you start at OG, you'll notice that a few things are different from what you might expect. One of the first is the role of a team leader and how it works. A team leader is not your manager. They are your "friends," "buddies," or guides within the company, while heads are your managers.

Starting from your very first days at the company and moving on to the details, we will show you what leadership looks like at Order Group and what a TL can help you with.

First Days

Do you know the feeling when you start at a new company, and your head is full of questions? We all do. Your team leader and the People team led by Joanna Osuch are the ones to contact if you need any clarification or help. While Joanna's job can be very different from yours, a team leader is usually a person just like you - a developer or, in general, somebody who does the same things as you. They know your perspective because they were once in the same spot as you, which makes it easier for them to introduce you to the team & the rules we have inside our company.

Once onboarding is behind us, the work begins, and you may hit a slump at times. What then?

Motivation

We all feel down sometimes. You don't really know why, but you feel like ripping someone's head off. We know the feeling. It's good to talk to somebody then & pour your heart out. You could find a solution to the problem together, or maybe just feeling a bit better is what you need. In either case, your "buddy" is the person you can talk to. They will know exactly what you're working on, what obstacles you are facing & any frustrations you might encounter.

Above all, we want you to feel good when working at OG, and your leader plays a big part in that. They will also:

• check in with you, either through casual chats, one-on-one meetings, or even team surveys.
• cheer you on, celebrate your successes (big or small!), and recognize your contributions.
• address your concerns. After all, two heads are better than one.

Last Days with Us

Sadly, there are times when we have to say goodbye. Even though "breakups" can be a bitter experience, a team leader helps make offboarding smooth for departing team members.

We always want to know what we could have done better/differently, so feedback matters to us. If one day we part ways, you will talk to a TL during an exit interview. This lets you share your experiences, both positive and negative, and helps us identify areas for improvement.

Culture & Communication

Last but not least: company culture & communication. Perhaps the most important part of being a TL is conveying the company culture & communication well. These two areas take the most time & matter the most. Understanding why we do what we do & why we don't do some other things is crucial. Having a positive impact is one of our values, and it's a part of our mission. It's who we are and who we strive to be.

That's why your "buddy" will explain everything to you and show you all internal resources. They will also introduce you to the team and explain why on Earth everybody writes "hey" on our global Slack channel (although we're not sure about that one).

That's the theory. What does one of our TLs say about fulfilling the role?

Many of the points we outlined are about communication. That's because a TL is the most important intermediary between the layers of the company. Team leaders shape the team's culture and help people communicate effectively.

Order Group's values are at the core of everything we do. Our leaders are role models for other team members: they live by Order Group's values, communicate well and encourage a positive, collaborative way of working.

I have been a team leader for 1.5 years, and "in my career," I have experienced difficult situations such as negative feedback. However, the vast majority of my experiences have been positive, where the trust I have built with my team members has led them to come to me for help with personal matters as well.

On a daily basis, I enjoy the people-centric aspects of my TL role: I get to interact with people and learn their stories, and often just listening to someone's problems is already a solution for them.

In my opinion, the most important thing in this role is to be open to other people. I believe that creating a space for open and honest conversations is very important, even though it is not always easy to do. I also hope that everyone in my team knows that they can come to me with anything.

• Michał Czyżowicz

Our TLs work to create a positive and supportive work environment where our colleagues feel valued and appreciated. Beyond the technical side of projects, they focus on a team culture that encourages collaboration, growth and well-being.

Our leaders shape our work culture, and together with you, they work with technical leaders to make sure our teams have the skills and resources they need.