In the classic book Good to Great, Jim Collins says, “…to build a successful organization and team you must get the right people on the bus.” His research shows that great companies and organizations do this. They get the right people and put them in the right seats. To build a strong team, you must see someone else’s strength as a complement to your weakness and not a threat to your position or authority.
Behind every company, whether it’s a Fortune 500 or INDEPENDENT SERVICES, there is an intersection of talent. Each person is uniquely capable of performing their job: the company spokesperson is a gifted public speaker; the administrative assistant is a master multi-tasker; and the CEO is excellent at setting the vision and leading the team. The guy on the pipe wrench is as important as the guy signing the checks. Without one the other is impossible.
Always remember too much ego will kill your talent. I heard a quote a few years ago and it was spot on “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, I used everything you gave me.”
Placing talent in key spots is very important, however along with talent you have to be the person who will surround yourself with people that push you to do and be better. No drama or negativity. Just higher goals and higher motivation. Good times and positive energy. No jealousy or hate. Simply bring out the very best in each other.
Talent acquisition is so very important to a business, we should never hire someone and if they aren’t great at the first task given just be done with them and let them go. There are a lot of CEOs that started at the “bottom”, Bob Iger of the Walt Disney Company, Mary T. Barra CEO of General Motors and chairman of the company just to name a couple. If a person is not good at a certain task, they may be great at another. Let’s try to find the perfect fit before casting people away, you never know you may have the next company spokesperson sweeping the floor.
Have a great day and rest of your week.