“You can tell who the strong people are. They are the ones building one another up rather than tearing them down.”
Recently, I was hiking with a friend. By every measurable standard, he would be considered successful in business. Over the few years that I have known him, he has received numerous job promotions—each with increased responsibility, opportunity, and title. Sometimes I get the feeling that his company can’t promote him fast enough.
While we were walking, I began asking him about his philosophy at work. I know he successfully leads a number of teams in his organization. And I asked him what his secret was for hiring great people and building effective teams.
He said, “My formula is simple: I try to hire people I can mentor into job promotions off my team.”
His response surprised me. But then he continued, “I know that I will always be able to hire the best people for my teams if I offer personal growth and professional advancement. And I’d much rather have highly capable people on my team for a few years than substandard performers who never leave.”
He offered me great advice that day. Not just in business, but in life.
I have another friend. His name is Jeff Slobotski. And if you don’t know his name, he’s probably okay with that—even though you should. Jeff is one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the Midwest equipping start-ups to succeed.
Jeff is easily one of the greatest “connectors” I have ever known. He lives his life helping others grow by introducing them to people who can help.
I improve his life very little—other than a few influential blog posts and personal conversation over coffee every time I visit Omaha, I’m not exactly sure what I offer. But he has done so much for me I can hardly thank him enough.
He has taken the time to connect me with people who have changed my life in significant ways—both personally and professionally. Almost every day I benefit from the investment he has made into me. I am better at what I do because he has taken the time to help me grow.
Often times, there is a natural tendency within us to see the world as a competition with a set number of winners and losers. In this scenario, if somebody else succeeds, there is one less opportunity for me. We divide the world into winners and losers. And we do our best to make sure we are in the first group.
But I have come to realize the mindset of competition is based on a faulty premise. It assumes that success in another’s life equals one less opportunity for me. But quite frankly, this thinking is incorrect.
In fact, the opposite is true. Our greatest successes in life are often experienced when we choose to help others succeed.
Our most lasting and fulfilling achievements are earned by helping others fulfill theirs. (tweet that)
Grow yourself by investing into someone else’s life today. You may be surprised to discover you both come out on top.
Sandra Pawula says
This is such a beautiful idea, Joshua. One simple way we can lean in this direction is to rejoice when someone succeeds instead of feeling envy. That’s a simple way to bring more happiness and positivity into our life too.
Judy says
I like that! :)
Rochelle says
Love this. My company in general works this way, although my position as a technical editor has no room for growth.
I try to have this attitude with the freshmen that I mentor, though. I’ve got 12 years on them, so they have plenty of time to surpass me. Plus, they’re already teaching me things. :)
Virginia says
Great post. Very insightful. And, you’re right, you can take this philosophy further than just professional. Thanks for sharing!
Adam says
Very true. Unfortunately there are many managers out there that are out of their depth, and they know it. This makes them insecure and unwilling to develop their teams out of fear of making themselves look inferior.
Marei says
When I was a supervisor this is exactly what I told the people I hired, “I’m here to help you develop the tools, and get the skills you need so you can promote up to whatever level you desire.” They were happy working for me because they knew I wasn’t trying to hold them back. And I was delighted to have happy, productive and enthusiastic employees. It was a win for them, a win for me, and a win for our agency.
BrownVagabonder says
I recently worked for a company where the CEO was extremely afraid of hiring bright people, as she was afraid that they would be smarter than her, that they would learn from the company and leave, and they would bring too many ideas to the table. It was exhausting and demeaning working for someone like this – I had ideas that I couldn’t talk about and I was eventually let go for being too creative.
I love the idea of a boss who would want to help his employees grow into promotions. I would love to work for someone like that.
Jamie says
This is life changing! If people in the workplace embraced this, there would be a beautiful, peaceful revolution!
kay ~ frugalvoices.com says
This post felt like a warm hug. Thanks! :)
Rob Newman says
Wow. Good post! We often hear about “surrounding ourselves” with highly capable people as good or better than we are. However, I have never heard that put quite the way you did.
When your friend says “I’d much rather have highly capable people on my team for a few years than substandard performers who never leave.” Not only is he helping himself, but he is helping another achieve their dreams, and benefiting the whole organization that they are working for.
I wish more people followed the same wisdom.
Rob
Cheri says
This is one of the best blog posts I’ve read in a long time and is also something I’ve believed for a long time because I found it exhausting to live life from the perspective of “everything is a competition.” We all gain by supporting and encouraging each other. Thank you!
Maxabella says
Hear, hear Cheri! The competition has drained the life out of so many, it’s time to realise that we are all, and always have been, on the same team. x
Linda Heureux says
Me too! One woman I mentored became my Boss & cried as she thanked me in my yrly review! ‘Dog Eat Dog’ environment.