Surround yourself with smart, dedicated people - to build something isn't a one-man show. It's more important to have smart people who really believe in what you're doing than really experienced people who may not share your dream.
Interpretation
Collaboration with passionate and intelligent individuals is essential for building successful projects.
The quote emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with intelligent and dedicated individuals in any collaborative endeavor. It stresses that the collective vision and dedication of these individuals, who share a common dream, outweighs merely having experienced people who may not fully align with the goals of the project.
In practice
During a team meeting about a new project, I shared this quote to emphasize the importance of collaboration.
Many think of management as cutting deals and laying people off and hiring people and buying and selling companies. That's not management, that's deal making. Management is the opportunity to help people become better people. Practiced that way, it's a magnificent profession.
It is the job of leaders to eliminate uncertainty.
When small men attempt great enterprises, they always end by reducing them to the level of their mediocrity.
My own experience is use the tools that are out there. Use the digital world. But never lose sight of the need to reach out and talk to other people who don't share your view. Listen to them and see if you can find a way to compromise.
Good leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization. When that happens people feel centered and that gives their work meaning.
I tell my staff, 'Give me your best, and then go home and live your life.' I've never asked anyone to work harder, but I've told plenty that they needed rest.
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