In marketing, sometimes you work on an island, but the view is incredible.

I've been a marketer in the startup and agency world for 10+ years. The pace is fast. The results feel small. The rewards feel huge. I've seen millions of dollars in revenue flow in.

Does it always feel like you're maximizing your resources? Nope.

Is there a ton of trial and error? 100%

When you work in a small team you can single-handedly make or break your company. Success lies in:

• Radical ownership

• Strategy

• Execution

• Crucial accountability

Here's how these 4 elements determine your career growth.

Founders need to trust you

The hiring process is brutal because the stakes are high.

Founders can't afford to make the wrong hire. As an early hire, you need to be ready to dive in. Your role is to take as much off the plate of your founder as possible. Be reliable. Be useful.

You need to develop the confidence to take radical ownership of your role. You can't be squeamish.

Strategy is baked in efficiency

It's naive to believe that your plan will be an immediate success.

Marketing is difficult for a multitude of reasons:

• Contexts change frequently.

• Products can't always steer the ship.

• Resources are limited.

You need to make well-reasoned decisions based on audience research, industry understanding, and gut instinct. But you can't plan forever. You need built-in fail safes. Back-up plans. It's difficult to have it all mapped out.

You do your best and move forward.

Execution is not for the timid

On a small team, you're required to step outside of your comfort zone.

Have you ever seen a job description that asks for a head of marketing when they actually need:

• Content Creator

• Marketing Ops

• Ad Specialist

• Social Media Manager

• Graphic Designer

• Email Marketer

Chances are that you'll need to execute across all of these disciplines. Learn what you don't know. Outsource when the budget is available.

Maintain a balance of:

• Pace

• Speed

• Experimentation

• Shipping

• Quality

Deliver on your promises

Setting expectations are necessary. Priorities become unwieldy.

When you're leading a small team, you need to hold yourself accountable while also setting fair boundaries.

When you are responsible and communicate clearly, your colleagues and customers are more understanding. Hold up your end of the bargain.

Scaffold your experiences

Ultimately, growth comes from experience. It's hard not to learn from mistakes. Be intentional with your development.

Reflect on your responsibilities. Develop your strategies. Refine your execution. Hold yourself accountable.

The result will be confidence, growth, and self-worth.