1. Building A Team:Building A Team:
Delegating, Work With ‘Friends/Family’,Delegating, Work With ‘Friends/Family’,
Hiring & Assessing PerformanceHiring & Assessing Performance
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December 2012
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2. Delegating: What’s That?Delegating: What’s That?
• Assigning a task/responsibility/function to someone who is
not you—an employee, contractor, partner
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3. Delegating: Why?Delegating: Why?
• Hmm, because you are human/have limitations: time,
expertise
• Because you want to accomplish more
than you can do alone—something
bigger, better, more sustainable
• Remember, a ‘one man/woman band’
makes very limited music
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4. Delegating: When?Delegating: When?
• When your limitations –time/skills--impede the
speed/quality of your progress
• No one can do everything well or fast. So, unless you like
the idea of ‘bad and slow’….learn to delegate
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5. Why Delegating Can Be Hard To Do…Why Delegating Can Be Hard To Do…
• “It takes too long for me to explain to someone else”
• “I know how to do it best”
• “I’m not comfortable asking/telling people what to do…
particularly my friends or family.”
• “I don’t know where to find someone
who does__”
• “I don’t have the money to hire
someone”
• “I don’t want to share control,
power, ownership”
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6. Why Delegating Can Be Hard To Do…Why Delegating Can Be Hard To Do…
• “Newsflash: You are not alone, strange, or disturbed---
many people feel this way…initially
• But if you want to build something bigger, better, and more
sustainable than you...learn to delegate. (Try the Nike
approach: Just do it!)
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7. Delegating: A Few TipsDelegating: A Few Tips
• Tone: adapt it to your comfort zone…perhaps you ‘ask’ vs
‘tell’, or ‘suggest’ vs ‘direct’
• Clarity is key!! Say it, but put it in
writing, so no confusion.
 Clarity of task/responsibility
 Clarity of expectation
(timing, deliverables, etc.)
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8. Working With Friends And FamilyWorking With Friends And Family
• Often the nearest source of talent/support
• Not ideal, but OK to do, but be very careful, eyes open
• Easy to get into, hard to get out
of (you can fire your brother,
but he’ll always be there)
• Delegating or giving orders can
be awkward
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9. Working With Friends And Family; TipsWorking With Friends And Family; Tips
• Crystal clarity (written and spoken)about:
 1) job responsibilities, expectations
 2)your role: the boss, not brother or pal
• Consider a “friends and family contract”:
 “if it doesn’t work out, we’re still pals”
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10. Building A TeamBuilding A Team
• Like building a house, you need a plan to identify:
 responsibilities/tasks (‘we need someone to do __’)
 skill sets required (‘someone who knows __’)
 “job specs” (‘full time, based in, compensation of’)
• Staff your team to fit your plan—not who’s most fun to
hang with! Be disciplined + dispassionate (D+D)
 “A team should not just be a gathering of friends”
• The most important decision you will make
• Best team = best chance to win
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11. Hiring: A Few TipsHiring: A Few Tips
• Create a written job description, with crystal clear
responsibilities, expectations, evaluative measures
• Get a resume, and set up a formal interview(s)
• Develop an interview guide to assess:
skill sets, relevant experience, character,
values, problem-solving instincts, ego
issues, etc.
• In the interview, listen more than talk—
much more.
• Simulate real-world performance needs
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12. Hiring: A Few TipsHiring: A Few Tips
• Get 3rd party corroboration/references…(“does she do
what she promises?”, etc.)
• Don’t ‘talk yourself into someone’
— it’s a bad sign
• Find people who: fit your job specs and your values; have
skills/muscles that you don’t have; people who will
challenge, push and inspire you
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13. Assessing Performance: A Few TipsAssessing Performance: A Few Tips
• Performance: assessed against the agreed-upon job
description, expectations, goals, deliverables. (Yet
another reason to put this all in writing!)
• Hire/keep people who deliver what they
commit to; get rid of/stay away from people
who don’t.
• Excuses don’t ever help you win…
• Trust your instincts---they are
there for a reason, and will help
you survive, thrive, and make
better hires.
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14. Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts
• The best leaders/managers surround themselves with the
best people. Period.
• If you can find people better than you, get them on your
team.
• When it comes to hiring, leave your ego at home.
• Remember: If you’re the best player on your
team, you haven’t chosen well
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