Why the people you have around you will be the biggest influence on your success

It is no secret that one of the most effective ways to build a successful business is to concentrate on what you’re good at and build a team of specialists to do the rest.

The question is, do most leaders admit and celebrate this or does pride get in the way, instead?

It's nothing new that when we work together as a team things get done better and quicker. Getting really good at something and then outsourcing everything else is something that all successful people do. You can't do everything on your own. And most of us know, deep down, that if you attempted to do everything on your own, you would end up dropping the ball.

“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” - Marissa Meyer.

Just think about that quote for a second. What does this mean to you? We think the best advice that can be taken from this quote is that the best way to succeed is by surrounding yourself with people who are smarter and better at things than you. Not only do they challenge you, push you, and teach you, they also do the same for themselves and each other. The smartest and most specialised people openly admit they constantly learn more, do more, and work to improve on the skills they already have. After all, the best specialists have talent and work ethic in equal measure.

It’s not just about hiring the best people in order to get the job done. It’s about surrounding yourself with like-minded people that share your passion and vision. People that have a commitment to a better and more quality life. This attitude towards finding the right people isn’t meant to be interpreted in just the professional sense; it also applies to your friendships, out of work relationships, and who you choose to spend valuable time with.

“If you hang around four millionaires, you’ll end up being the fifth. If you hang around four broke people, you’ll also end up being the fifth.”

Whilst this quote is a little on the nose, the sentiment still applies - who you choose to spend your time with will dramatically impact the trajectory of your life. It is exactly the same in business. It always has been.

So, what can you do to start building the team that will transform your business?

Be honest with yourself

The first step in building the right team around you is identifying exactly what you’re good at and then, using that information, working out what you’re bad at. And by ‘bad’ we mean things that you have acknowledged are not your specialism or your passion, things you wouldn’t build a business on.

Let’s say., for example, that you are an exceptional salesperson with a natural talent for communication and getting deals over the line. Maximize on this and instead of putting your energy into areas that do not come naturally, focus on becoming the best version of you in those areas. In areas where you don’t specialise, find someone whose strengths can complement your own. Some examples of this could be critical thinking, leadership, marketing, accounting, customer service, web design, and so on. The list of things you aren’t an expert in will naturally be bigger than the one containing the things you’re great at. Make an effort to physically note down your best areas of expertise and be honest in where you need help.

Focus on developing the skills you do have

Whatever it is that you have acknowledged is your strength, find ways to develop it! You have acknowledged your skills, now keep expanding and nurturing them until you reach your full potential.

There are two core reasons you should do this:

Firstly, for your business and your team, you want to be an expert in at least one area because then you can add incredible value. This means you are able to teach whilst learning at the same time. The skills you have mastered are what started you on your journey to success in the first place so share and inspire those around you.

Secondly, you have to instil a certain level of trust in your team, demonstrating you know your strengths and acknowledge areas that others know better than will do just this. People will look up to and admire you for being proficient in something, and for being open to others around you that have different strengths to your own. This will also allow you to make informed decisions about who to add to your team to fill the skill gaps. It is generally a good idea to get really good at one thing if you can.

There’s a quote from a film that goes something like this: “you barely have enough time to get good at one thing in this life, so you better be careful about what it is.” Decide what you’re best at and keep getting better at it.

Hire specialists that offer something you don’t

The third and final step to building the best team possible. The unfortunate truth, however, is that most people either ignore this step or acknowledge it but still choose to do everything on their own.

If you follow steps one and two and are aware of what you are both good and bad at you can start developing your best skills. However, if you don’t then take action and move on to step three, you will find yourself falling short. This step is where you identify the gaps in your business (or life) and the areas that really need growth and nourishment. Find individuals who are experts and specialists in areas that you are not and you will start building the foundation of an exceptional team. If you’re mindful enough to also look for talented people that share the vision and values of your brand, you’re onto a winner.

Be selective, thoughtful, and thorough with your hiring process and ensure that the people you invite into your team will become invaluable. Even more important than this; make sure that you have an environment in which they can grow and thrive. You have to do your part in allowing the team you build to be as productive, creative, free-thinking, and innovative as possible.

One final thought on hiring people that offer something different to you – it is crucial to remember that sometimes what others bring to the table isn’t expertise, knowledge, or specialism. Sometimes it is a difference in thinking, a different background, or a different personality. Diversity – in every regard – is what makes teams excel.

Start finding people that are so different from you that when you work together, you innovate.