I’ve seen my fair share of chaos in startups. When I close my eyes, I can still hear the echo of ringing phones, the hurried shuffle of sneakers on concrete floors, and yes—the never-ending confusion about who was supposed to do what.
If you’ve worked in an early-stage company, you know exactly what I mean. When everything’s urgent and nothing is written down, roles blur fast. And while that ragtag energy might make for good war stories, it’s terrible for actually building something that lasts.
Back in the early days, I worked with a guy I’ll call “Brian”—not because I’m obscuring anything sinister, but simply because I don’t like to drag real people into the limelight without asking.
Brian’s business card said, “Chief Growth Officer,” but on Tuesday he was doing payroll, by Thursday he was troubleshooting with customers, and by the end of the month, he was negotiating supply contracts. To say his job was a moving target is like saying the Titanic had a bit of a navigation issue.
It’s tempting to see this as heroic flexibility. But what’s really happening in these moments is painful ambiguity. When no one’s sure of their lane, things get missed, people overstep, or worse: entire projects fall between the cracks because nobody really “owns” them.
I learned this the hard way—so you don’t have to.
Below, I’ll walk through why clear titles and roles aren’t just corporate window-dressing, but the foundation your startup actually stands on.
Eight Takeaways on Why Titles and Roles Matter
- Ownership Drives Results
If no one knows who’s responsible for the website going live (or the subscription renewals getting processed, or the coffee even arriving), odds are, nobody will feel true accountability. Clear titles assign visible, psychological ownership—transforming “someone should” into “that’s my job.” - It Clarifies Decision-Making
Ever been in a meeting where you think you’re approving a new feature, but it’s actually just an idea for next year? Fuzzy roles breed fuzzy decisions. When everyone knows their scope, the team can stop arguing about who decides and get to actually making decisions. - Reduces Ego Clashes
I’ve found that a lot of tension in startups doesn’t come from big personalities, but from muddy roles. If Brian thinks he’s leading marketing but I assume Jenna is, suddenly there’s tension that shouldn’t exist. Crystal-clear roles let people shine at what they do best, instead of elbowing for turf. - Shows Respect for People’s Time and Talents
When you’re wearing six hats a day, it’s easy to feel taken for granted. Giving someone a title (and a role that matches their skills and ambitions) tells them: “We see you. We trust you with this.” That level of respect is rocket fuel for morale. - Institutional Memory and Succession
A business will eventually outgrow the handful of people who started it. When roles are documented and titled, hand-offs become possible. Incoming team members know what they’re stepping into, and the company’s knowledge doesn’t evaporate every time someone leaves. - Simplifies Hiring and Scaling
Try hiring for a “whatever-needs-doing” job. Now try hiring for “Customer Support Lead.” Which is easier? Specific roles allow you to spot gaps, hire for need, and scale intelligently—without throwing money at a problem you can’t even define. - Accelerates Onboarding
Your startup will grow—if you’re lucky and persistent. Every new person is a tiny risk to your culture and your operational clarity. When you have clear roles, you’re not just onboarding a new body, you’re plugging them into a system that works. - Builds Credibility (Internally and Externally)
Try pitching a VC with a team of “Swiss Army Knife” generalists. Now try it with a clear org chart. Whether it’s with investors, customers, or even your own parents, showing you understand who does what can make the difference between “we’re making it up as we go” and “we’re building something real.”
More Articles by Levi King:
7 Regrets to Make a Tough Year in Business Even Tougher
Do Friends Make Good Business Partners? 5 Things to Consider Before Risking It
10 Small Business Resources That Won’t Drain Your Coffers
The One Book Every New Business Owner Should Read
The Messy Reality
Let’s be honest: no startup is ever fully tidy. Roles evolve, priorities shift overnight, and on some weeks, everyone ends up pitching in on customer support. But ambiguity should be the exception, not the operating principle.
With Brian, the wheels nearly fell off when a partner needed a single point of contact—and nobody in the room knew who that was. We lost days untangling a mess that should have taken five minutes, all because a title wasn’t made real with real responsibility. Multiply that by ten, and you have the silent killer of early-stage momentum.
So, what should you do? Here’s how we cleaned house:
Wrote down every real responsibility in the company
Matched names to tasks, with zero overlaps
Updated titles, stripped out pretentious fluff, and—most importantly—made sure the team knew what empowered them and what didn’t
Closing Thoughts:
I’ll finish where I started—with a plea not to mistake chaos for creativity. Startups are hard enough without operating like it’s the Wild West. Give your people the dignity of knowing where they fit. Make titles mean something. Get your roles clear, live with the results, and revise when the facts change.
That’s how you build not just a business that works, but a business worth working for.
Image by gpointstudio on Freepik
