The right person is out there
As long as your standards are reasonable, that is. (Ripon Millenary, 1886, British Library)
Trying to get a new venture off the ground can be lonely at first.
This thing is so new that you barely believe in it. How are you going to get someone else to come along for the ride?
You may have had some life experiences that reinforce the narratives we hear all around us:
“You just can’t find good help.”
“Vendors are just crooks who make big promises and steal your money.”
“If you want something done right, do it yourself.”
And then, even if you manage to overcome these obstacles, there’s the challenge of finding a mutually beneficial arrangement, especially in the current market.
How are you going to find the right person to join your band/work for your company/design your website/paint the Elizabethan-style portrait of you and your dog? And how will you afford them?
There’s no denying that is difficult, especially if you haven’t done it before (or have tried it and gotten burned).
That’s why I’m here, reporting back from the other side and saying that the right person is out there and successful collaboration can happen. When it does, it’s magical.
Granted, the only reason I can say this is that I’ve made every mistake in the book, suffered greatly, and caused suffering in return. But I can honestly say that, based on where I am now, it was worth it. The people I work with — employees, vendors, colleagues, clients — are among my favorite people in the world. We operate in alignment, and best of all, the collective impact of the work we do together attracts more compatible people to the team. It’s become a virtuous cycle.
That’s not where I started. At the beginning, it didn’t even occur to me to ask for help. And then, after I did figure out that I needed help, I didn’t know how to get it. It took a series of patient people to show me how to lead them and bring out the best in them.
Then, I went through a phase in which I believed I could bring out the best in anybody. I am good at seeing unlimited potential — it’s what makes me a good coach and teacher. However, that’s a liability when it comes to employees (and romantic partners). I had to realize that collaboration was a two-way street, and not everyone was going to want to or be able to do things the way I envisioned.
I’m still growing as a leader. There are still gaps in the team where we’re trying to clearly identify what we’re looking for and find the right person. But we do believe that the right person is out there, and it’s only a matter of time before they show up. The process of seeking, inviting, and onboarding new collaborators is a little fun and festive, rather than scary and demoralizing.
I’ve observed that, as my team has grown, so has my impact. I always panic that I can’t afford to hire someone new, whether as a service provider, contractor, or employee. But pretty much every time, business expands to pay for the new hire and then some. When it’s a good fit, a new person helps to expand capacity and bring in new clients, even if that is not the direct purpose of their role.
You may be a ways away from making your first (or next) hire. But regardless of where you are in the process, it’s true: The right person is out there. You may not find them immediately, but if you don’t stop looking until you do, then you eventually will.
Does that sound hopelessly romantic? To me, it’s more the result of unromantic persistence, perseverance, and being open to the possibility. Being willing to make mistakes, learn from others, and try again. Which, not coincidentally, are the exact qualities that your future hire is developing right now in order to find you and be ready for you. How perfect is that?
