Jim Rohn, an established motivational speaker, once stated, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” It’s a bold statement, yet when you think about it, Jim’s right. As you travel through life you are forced to interact and develop relationships with people of all backgrounds. As you create strong ties with individuals, the identity they embody has great potential to strongly influence your actions and belief system. A part of them becomes you, essentially. So it’s only smart that you select people who seek to compliment and uplift your existing qualities. When it comes to building a top of the line business team, Jim Rohn’s words are never more pertinent. Whether your small business is in the planning stages or has been around the block a couple times, you can always benefit from taking time to organize a smartly planned, well-rounded team of winners.

Selecting the best means understanding your own weaknesses. That’s right –what are YOU bad at? By understanding your own limitations, you can begin to seek out individuals that excel where you can’t. So drop some of your pride and aim for people who aren’t carbon copies of you. When you gain a team member who can pull some of the weight when you can’t, your business will be more resilient and better for it.

Another key tool for team-hiring success – look to develop a diverse group of people. Yes, the college educated, MBA toting grad may look great on paper, but you must make sure your team is full of all kinds of people.  While you may have scoffed at the Sociology, Archaeology, and English majors back in college, they’re now an essential part of your winning strategy. The world is made up of all kinds of people, from artists to astrophysicists. By having a group of individuals on your side that represent global diversity more accurately, you will be better equipped to compete in the international marketplace.

What’s next? Identify your team brand! Over the past decade, we have seen the importance of a strong brand. While a brand’s identity may not be physically tangible, it has arguably become the most important feature of modern day companies. Think of Google or Facebook, for example, their culture is equally as important as the products they supply you with. When working to develop a brand, first create a positive team environment. Seek out individuals who actively work to produce an atmosphere that is nothing short of superb. Locate features of your business that are most important to your success and create an identifiable culture that all team members feel a part of.

So, there you have it. Remember that building a team ready to take on unpredictable challenges takes time. Effectively creating a cohesive lineup that represents the goals of your small business will be key to your overall success. Make Jim Rohn proud and develop relationships that foster growth on a multitude of business and personal levels. Happiness may come from within, but a group of people who help to water your personal positivity tree should be forever welcomed with open arms.