Two Heads
“Two heads are better than; one because they have a good reward for their labor”
This is a popular phrase to use, especially when we’re trying to get unstuck on a project. Many people use it and don’t even realize it’s biblical (Ecclesiastes 4:9), they just spout it out whenever applicable.
I know the nature of the saying and I’ve heard a handful of sermons taught on it, but sometimes I forget the saying altogether. For the past few weeks I’ve been working on building this marketing company, creating websites, making connections, prospecting new clients, and honing my skills. But I’ve been working in a silo.
Creating Accountability
Yesterday, for the first time, I stepped outside of the silo to recruit some help. I had a good meeting with a top-notch sales person I have worked with before about joining my team. He’s someone I can trust, and someone that is ready to hustle to make money.
After we spent some time talking about the business and he asked me a few questions, I got a sense that he was grasping my concepts and he was figuring out the process in his mind. He could also see the dollar signs that I was offering him if he could dedicate a small amount of time each week to my vision.
He’s agreed to join my team and now I have someone to whom I am accountable, besides myself. Working solo is tough, and some might say impossible. We all need reinforcement and we all need someone to, at the very least, bounce ideas off of.
Application of Theory
The book I just finished listening to is called Leaders Eat Last
He explains how we can be driven by dopamine when we cross something off a to-do list. Or how we get a shot of seratonin from being recognized amongst our peers for an accomplishment.
But the chemical I realized I have been craving is oxytocin. This is released when we participate in acts of love and kindness, this is what helps us build bonds with teammates, co-workers, and family members.
Three Strands
“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” – Ecclesiates 4:12
The first sales person I recruited it only a small piece of the plan. I know that to grow this I will need more sales people and eventually developers to take on the design portion. And I know at some point I will need a bookkeeper because I loathe accounting.
But for now, I am in a good place and my business is moving forward the way it should be. I feel relieved, boosted, and pressured all at the same time to have someone else join me in this venture. But that’s what makes it exciting!
Think about a time when you expanded your team. Was it beneficial for your or was it a mistake? How did you feel when you brought them on?
I would love to hear more about your experiences with teams and growing them. Please leave me a comment below or chat with me on Twitter.
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Check out Simon Sinek’s “Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t” here. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I would highly recommend it, especially if you are in a leadership position!
Have a great day!
