Two characteristics of extraordinary partners
I was talking with my coach Ernest the other day about building and refining the team that supports Box of Crayons. He helped me notice that I’m looking for three types of people, depending on the work that’s required.
The first type is for “out-choring” – people to do the administrative, process-driven work that can suck up time and keep you busy. This is transactional stuff, and you want reliable and you want as low cost as possible. I’ve just rediscovered eLance, and that’s proving a blessing. (For instance, I use my eLance partners to manage my 200+ invitations to LinkedIn that I receive every week).
Second, people who interact with the world on your behalf and who manage processes as well being one of the voices for the brand. These are folks whose “vibe” is important and who you can trust to speak as you would speak – if not in the exact words, then the exact tone.
And then, finally, you need people who bring their own creative magic to the mix. We’re lucky to have a few such folk supporting Box of Crayons …
Robert, who’s designed our first flash movie and who’s hard at work on our next one about Find Your Great Work.
Kathryn and Charlotte, who are the brains (and muscle) behind our websites. (By the way, we’ve just launched the new look of www.BoxOfCrayons.biz – what do you think?)
Ana, who’s designed our ebooks and is designing Find Your Great Work.
What makes them special? I think two things
Solid as a rock. They have processes and structures so they keep their promises and deliver what they said they would.
Light as a feather. They understand your brief better than you do. When they present their thoughts, you think: Wow, I could never have thought of that.
Working with exceptional people like this means that I can stay focused on my own Great Work.
And, they’re wonderful training for me. I’m now increasingly intolerant of working with people who don’t have systems that work and can’t keep that promises. And equally, of who can only deliver to the brief without adding their own magic to the mix.
Wait – before you go… did you enjoy this Great Work post? Why not subscribe?
=> You can subscribe by RSS here
=> Or subscribe by email here
- Three places to find the people you’re looking for
- Who’s your dissenter?
- Underwork it for the breakthrough
- Great Work Quotes #9
Tags: Charlotte Riley, Great Work, Kathryn Presner, Robert Kabwe
Thanks Michael. As much as you are thanking us, it’s not everyday that I get to work with such extraordinary talent. You have helped me think more clearly than you probably realize. It’s a pleasure (and awesome in every sense of the word) to work with someone who is quick, imaginative and, quite frankly, a whole lotta fun. Personally, I think you let us shine by trusting us and putting us in a place that allows us to do our GREAT work.
Congrats on the new Box of Crayons website. It’s fabulous!
Very valuable contribution to the conversation about the need for systems and outsourcing.
I am currently looking back along a road just travelled, where things have fallen appart. My conclusion was that the people involved did not have the right skills. On this occasion I did not control that process, but now I am facing that challenge.
Any tips on ways of improving the chances of selection of the right people?
BTW: Your new look Website is really refreshing and inspirational.
& your videos are brilliant. A shining light!
This is great info to know.