Ducks in a Row: People Power
by Miki Saxon
Last year, Brad Feld of Foundry Group joined a roster of gurus who recommend hiring for cultural fit above all.
I said it again last week.
Henry Ford was one of the first to explain why, If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.
This is true for every company from startups through the Fortune 10.
And the key word isn’t “forward” it’s “everyone.”
Research has shown that culture trumps strategy and the most important component of culture is people.
Without people there is no company.
With the wrong people there is no team.
It is the team that makes vision reality.
It is the team that draws investment and customers.
It is the team that lets you pivot, innovate and change when necessary—no matter your size
It is the team that saves your ass when you screw up.
Your team is made up of the people who focus on the success of the company, knowing that its success ensures their own, not the people who work primarily for their own success.
A strong team always trumps a group of individual players—no matter how good they are or what each has done in the past.
Team needs and candidate attitude should always trump individual credentials, experience, previous title and company.
Flickr image credit: Glyn Lowe Photoworks
August 20th, 2013 at 6:56 am
Totally agree with your main points. I would add that “team” includes a culture or practice of avoiding “rock star” preferences or out-of-proportion status to anyone. Teams that start in lock step alignment but then get swayed or worse bullied by so-called rock star individuals eventually implode. Leadership must own this, and insist on dope-slapping any team member that starts to act privileged or above the group.
For the record, I fly on coach tickets and upgrade at my own cost or miles, and still wash my own dishes in the office sink. I also return email and calls the same day 100%.
And I always ask for help, feedback and criticism.
Never forget that everyone around you is put there to teach you.
August 26th, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Hi Matt,
Thanks for your comment. It’s especially good coming from someone who is considered a rock star by many in the Valley.
(Sorry for the delay in responding; WP stopped notifying me…another bug to fix)