This article originally appeared in the February 2022 issue of Security Business magazine. When sharing, don’t forget to mention Security Business magazine on LinkedIn and @SecBusinessMag on Twitter.
Throughout my life, I have often heard a phrase uttered by people much wiser than me: “You are judged by the company you keep.”
As a teenager and young adult, this was meant to be a warning about hanging out with the “wrong crowd.” If you associate with trouble or negativity, people will naturally think the same about you. This life lesson has been turned into many movies and tales of warning; however, have you ever considered this from the other perspective?
In business, part of your success is surrounding yourself with the right crowd so that you are proud to be associated with the company you keep.
Who is the right crowd when it comes to business? Who are you surrounding yourself with as a leader or team member?
How to Keep Good Company
At the highest level, you want to choose a company or employer who shares the cultural values, goals, initiatives and mission that you align with. This could also mean prioritizing partnerships with other companies who also share those core values that you find most important.
If you have a leader or mentor, do they hit this mark as well? What about your team? As a leader, your team can say more about you than you think.
To be clear, the idea of “keeping the right company” within your team does not mean finding people who are just like you. I firmly believe that diversity, in many aspects, within a team is critical to success. In this case, the right company on your team boils down to two things: talent and attitude. Don’t settle for mediocrity or negativity. Both can be stifling to your team’s success and culture.
Keeping it Positive
Attitude is contagious, whether positive or negative. Talent is motivating and encouraging. When you look at your team, your measure of success should be represented by what is important to you. Demand that the attitude and talent represent the standards of where you are; but also strive to fill your team with the talent and attitude that represents where you want to be. As a part of the team, improving your team also means improving yourself. Remember, if you settle for less, you will be judged as less.
Occasionally, this demand for attitude and talent means that leaders need to make tough decisions. We all hope that we can coach and develop this in our teams, but that is not always the case. Do not let the fear of change stifle your ability to be the best that you can be.
You owe it to yourself and your team to find the best fit for everyone. If someone has a bad attitude, don’t let it spread. If someone doesn’t have the talent to succeed in their current role, do them the favor of helping them find the right position where they can excel.
Once you have the right talent and attitude on your team, your role as a leader becomes easier and much more enjoyable. The ability to delegate responsibilities with trust becomes natural when your team shares your values and motivations. The phrase “don’t let me down” becomes a thing of the past because your team could never fathom failing, let alone failing in a way that would negatively impact you or others. With talent and the right attitude, it is amazing what a team can accomplish.
Throughout the years I have learned unequivocally that reputations not only precede you, but they also follow you. This can be the key to either being successful or failing in any ventures you take on in the future. You should be proud to be judged by the company you keep. If you cannot see your team, company or partners in that light, perhaps it is time to find the right crowd.
Anthony Berticelli is VP of Operations for PSA Security Network. To request more information about PSA, visit www.securityinfowatch.com/10214742.
