Startups are a challenging and demanding environment for all involved: execs, managers, individual contributors, everyone. Not only is it critical to find the right team members that thrive in this fast pace, but keeping them motivated with ever changing priorities is your task.
Keeping the dev team motivated isn't all that is important. As managers take on more responsibility in the shaping of the new company's direction and emerging culture, it is important to keep the senior management team motivated too. Keeping them feeling comfortable is the way to ensure your continued increasing role.
To do this, as Heifetz says, we must keep the values and vision that started the venture in constant sight. In real ways demonstrate that you know what is important and are on course. "Answer the 'why' question and you'll increase people's willingness to endure the hardships that come with the journey to a better place."
