Hiring Over Your Head and Building a Team That’s Better Than You

Quote, “Hire to be the dumbest person in the room. Surround yourself with people that are smarter than you. Somebody who is of excellence and passion.” — Michael Lebowitz, founder Big Spaceship from his CLICK NY session

I LOVE THAT. As we’re rapidly expanding and experimenting with our team here (especially in web and communications) I am excited to be a part of hires that have specified knowledge far beyond mine. Our other designer Chris knows so much more about getting things printed well than I do. When it comes to web development, I have enough knowledge to get things done, but not enough to make a dent in the universe, so we’re looking for a web developer to own it and push us/me forward. For us to accomplish great things, I have to make an intentional, concerted effort to not be the smartest guy in the room. 

As we grow, I will know less and less about the specifics of our team’s individual tasks so that those things can be done passionately, excellently and on a world-class level by the right people. Otherwise, we only grow as far as my knowledge capacity will let us and we never leverage the power of being a team.