Who’s In It With You?
Last week, we clearly DID step on toes... many of you told me so. We used a hiking analogy to make the point that delegation isn't a dirty word.
You’re hiking with your people—but somehow you’re the only one carrying the load. Seriously???
Now.... I know it's tempting to start handing out trail mix and assigning roles, but before you do, I want you to take a minute to look around.
Who’s actually rocking with you?
And—maybe more importantly—why are they even there? (Uh, oh... Did I step on your toes again?)
It's okay.... I got you. Let's do a little inventory. Let's start with your team. Who are you traveling with?
(Important side note: today we're talking about the work environment. Next week, we'll get into what to do if it's your friend, cousin or partner... tricksy stuff, I know.)
Now that you’ve got some names and faces in mind, ask yourself:
Are they showing up when it counts?
Are they learning, growing, pulling their weight?
Or are they just along for the ride?
And if they’re not the right fit… why are they still here?
Is it guilt? Habit? Sentiment? Maybe you just haven’t stopped to really see who’s been tagging along.
I see this in hiring all the time. It’s called affinity bias.
Quick example: You interview someone who reminds you of, well… you. You bond over a shared hometown or favorite restaurant. You skip a few tough questions. Next thing you know, they’re on your team—aaaand they’re not quite equipped for the trail ahead.
Sound familiar?
Look—I’m not saying be ruthless. I’m saying be intentional.
If you’ve got a vision, if you're headed somewhere that matters, then you need the right people around you. Period.
I know there's a lot to this, but we're going to explore it over the next few weeks.
For today, just start with these questions:
Do you have the right crew for where you're going?
If not, where are the gaps?
Can you envision better? What does your ideal team look like? What do you need?
You deserve a team that’s competent, focused and in it for the long haul.
