This week’s appreciation is for a group of guys that have gotten a lot of good press over the past few weeks. They’re deserving of all that’s being said of them. I’m not going to repeat it but rather tell you a story about some friends that I’ve gotten to know and appreciate over the past year.

I started working with TechStars on January 2nd of this year as most of you already know. The day I got into Boulder, rolling my carryon behind me, I saw the Socialthing! team. At that point, the team had swollen to seven from the original three (and would later shrink back down to its current state of five = Matt, Ben, Wade, Joel and Tim) and I felt an immediate affinity with the dev team. (Perhaps too much of an affinity. My affinity blossomed into love for one member of the team, but that’s another story…)

Here’s what I appreciate about the Socialthing! team.

Balance the Startup World

I appreciate how well you all are able to balance being startup guys with taking on responsibilities (outside of the startup world and) in your personal lives. All four of you have girlfriends and are able to be present for them/their projects while juggling demanding work and travel schedules. You defy the stereotype that in order to be successful in the startup world you have to blindly pursue your dream to the detriment of your relationships. In a way, you’re demystifying the startup world. Thank you for being willing to show that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

Know How (and When) to Have Fun

I remember how important it was to you guys to have Rock Band set up for the booth at SXSW. Although I was helping spread the word with you all at the booth, splitting time between demoing the app and embarrassing myself on vocals, something became very clear to me: the word I was spreading was fun. Tech can be serious, it can be profitable. And it can be fun. Although I’ve seen you all pull a few 12 hour days, that definitely has not been the norm. You know the importance of unplugging and going for a hike, ride or a *cough* romantic dinner.

Focus on Relationships

I’ve learned a lot about team dynamics watching you guys work together. You each have your own work and learning style and see that as a good thing. I appreciate the way you work out problems, the way you help one another stay on task. In February I wrote about Pair Programming and how the Socialthing! team uses it. I’ve seen its positive effects on the team…and the recent acquisition proves to me that this kind of work (on and within relationships) is more than just a passing fad.

Love One Another

I’ve been privileged to witness you all in your brightest moments (the unstoppable Socialthing! release party at SXSW comes to mind) and in your darkest. I know intimately what it feels like to run down to almost nothing in the bank. I swelled with pride as I watched you all accept the IQ Award the night before you were finally allowed to talk about the acquisition. Through it all, I’ve witnessed you (and your awesomely supportive loved ones) show up in ways that honor the integrity of a team. You’ve dealt with shortcomings with grace, trying to make up for wrong (or perceived wrong) as soon as possible. I appreciate the way you’ve cared for one another.

In this startup world where speed and “first to market,” blindly running for a perceived finish line is all the rage, you’ve shown that growing organically is a viable way. Running to catch the flight but also knowing when to slow down and celebrate with friends over a beer is a way. And while it may take hard work, collaboration and some difficult conversations, it’s about sticking together as a team, come what may.

That is the way.

Thank you for everything, guys. I look forward to seeing what comes next. Here’s to many more days and nights of Munchkin, Killer Rabbits and the gentle sound of code compiling…

Joel Describes Socialthing! Jan 22, 2008 from gwenbell on Vimeo.

*More info on the Appreciations Project.