Choosing Your Working Team With Discernment
Updated: Jun 13, 2021
As an entrepreneur, I have been challenged to find the right people to hire, collaborate with, or partner with different projects. Work cannot be done in a silo, and work can only be accomplished by finding the right team members to complete the task.
However, over the years, I am learning that finding the right team members goes beyond their skills and talents. Do they share the same values as me? What is their character like?
One particular project stands out to me: a post-production editor was not meeting the timelines of delivering edited videos. I frequently called him to check on progress, and he made promises that he will deliver at a certain time but in vain.
Then one day, an industry peer reached out, and we began catching up; and he mentioned that he was working on a particular project, and the above-mentioned editor was on this project as well. This shocked me and it made me realize that the editor did not share the same values as me. One value being honesty.
The dictionary describes being honest as free of deceit and untruthfulness, sincere, morally correct, or virtuous. The word of God takes in deeper and states in Colossians 3:9 (AMP):
“Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices…”
In addition, the bible also highlights honesty in Proverbs 10:9 (AMP):
“He who walks in integrity and with moral character walks securely, But he who takes a crooked way will be discovered and punished.”
Therefore, as business leaders, we need to take some time in choosing whom to work with. Some situations will only reveal someone’s true character, and it will cause us to doubt our selection process. This should not deter us, but it should sharpen our discernment as we meet new people or continue working with our team members.
The revealing of someone’s values or character is a gentle nudge from God to show who can progress with us into the next level of our businesses and those we have to leave behind.
The entrepreneurship journey is a winding road that requires us to pay close attention to those we work, collaborate with, or partner with.
For you to reflect, ask yourself the following questions:
What values are important to share as a team?
What skills and values should I have in order to work in harmony?
Is there someone who I need to leave behind?