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Right People in the Right Seats doing the Right Thing

Writer's picture: Braden LightBraden Light

Updated: Jan 20

Creating the right team is the foundation for a thriving, successful business

The Importance of Having the Right People in Your Business

In any successful business, people are the key to growth, performance, and sustainability. As leaders, our job is not just to manage operations and strategy but to ensure that we have the right people in the right seats, doing the right things. A team that’s misaligned or populated with the wrong people can severely hinder progress, culture, and morale. The costs are high, often more than businesses realize, but the returns on investing in the right people can be exponential.


In this article I will share insights on the following:

Studies have shown that the cost of a wrong hire can be up to 15 times their annual salary

Building Trust in Teams: Patrick Lencioni's The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

In his book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni outlines a framework that focuses on building cohesive teams. One of the most crucial points he makes is the importance of trust. Without trust, a team can’t communicate openly, hold each other accountable, or work together effectively. This becomes a major roadblock when people in the wrong roles are unwilling or unable to be transparent about problems they face. Their unwillingness to collaborate, engage, or even be honest about issues undermines the entire organization.


Lencioni emphasizes that when teams are dysfunctional, they are often a result of having the wrong people in the wrong roles. Without the right mindset, talent, and skills, even the most well-intentioned team members can create disruption. This dysfunction becomes a chain reaction that impacts productivity, morale, and ultimately business success.


Getting the Right People on the Bus: Verne Harnish’s Scaling Up

Verne Harnish, in Scaling Up, takes a similar approach to building successful teams. One of his key ideas is that businesses need to focus on getting the right people on the bus and in the right seats. This is not just about hiring the most qualified candidates but ensuring that those individuals align with the company’s core values, culture, and long-term vision. The wrong person in a role can cause frustration, inefficiency, and burnout, not only for the individual but for the whole team.


Harnish also highlights the importance of a strong leadership team. Leadership isn’t just about making tough decisions or handling the day-to-day management, it’s about creating a culture where people thrive. When the right people are in leadership positions, it’s easier to build trust, accountability, and vision throughout the company. However, if those in key positions are misaligned or simply not a good fit for their roles, the company’s growth potential is stunted.


From Good to Great: Jim Collins on Leadership and People

Jim Collins’ Good to Great takes the concept of having the right people and explores it in depth. Collins introduces the concept of "Level 5 Leadership," which refers to leaders who are both humble and driven. This leadership style can only succeed when the right people are working alongside them. Collins emphasizes the importance of getting the right people on the team, but also ensuring that they are in roles where they can excel. One key idea is that companies that go from good to great focus intensely on finding and keeping the right talent.


Collins also explores the idea that “who” is just as important as “what” in defining a business's success. If a business doesn’t have the right people, it doesn’t matter how great the strategy or vision is. The wrong people will derail even the most visionary business plans. Collins notes that successful companies have teams that are composed of individuals who not only fit into the company culture but who also bring the necessary skills and mindset to execute on the company’s vision.


The High Cost of the Wrong Person

Having the wrong person in your business is more than just an inconvenience—it can be a major financial drain. Studies have shown that the cost of a wrong hire can be up to 15 times their annual salary when factoring in lost productivity, reduced team morale, and potential disruption to company culture.

Would you enthusiastically re-hire each member of your team?

In my own experience working with various businesses, I've seen firsthand how detrimental the wrong person can be. Whether it's someone who doesn’t fit the company culture, lacks the necessary skills, or is simply disengaged, the impact on the team can be severe. High performers, those who are engaged and dedicated to their work, will become frustrated by colleagues who don’t share their level of commitment or even worse, undermine the work culture. Top performers are typically the most vocal about this issue because they care about the company’s success, and they feel the weight of others who are not pulling their weight.


Fitting Culture: the Zappos Way!

One powerful question you can ask yourself is: Would you enthusiastically re-hire each member of your team? This is a great way to evaluate whether you have the right people in the right roles. If you’re unsure about your answer, it might be time to make some tough decisions.


In fact, Zappos—famous for its company culture—takes this a step further with its "quit incentive" program. The company offers new hires a financial bonus to leave after their first week of training, essentially paying them to quit if they aren’t fully invested in the company culture. This program ensures that only those who are truly engaged and aligned with Zappos’ values stay. While it may seem unconventional, it's a clear signal of how much the right people matter. The Zappos approach not only ensures they have the right talent but also reinforces the importance of building a team that is fully committed to the company’s mission and values.


Firing Customers: The Same Rule Applies

Sometimes, the importance of having the right people extends beyond employees to customers. Just as the wrong person in your company can damage your culture, a customer who is difficult, demanding, or even toxic to your team can also be a liability. In fact, you may need to consider firing customers who consistently drag your team down or who undermine your company's values and morale. Keeping the wrong customers for the sake of revenue may seem like the best financial decision in the short term, but in the long run, they can create more harm than good.

Businesses that are willing to let go of unprofitable or toxic customers often find that their teams are more motivated, their culture is stronger, and their overall performance improves.



Conclusion

The right people in your business—whether they are employees or customers—are crucial to success. Leaders must take proactive steps to ensure they have the right talent, in the right roles, doing the right things. As Patrick Lencioni, Verne Harnish, and Jim Collins have all stressed, the cost of getting this wrong is significant. It's not just about having talented individuals; it's about having the right team who can work cohesively toward a common goal. The right people create an environment where trust, performance, and innovation can thrive, and when that happens, the entire business moves forward.


If you're looking to scale or simply improve the culture and efficiency of your team, start by evaluating the people around you. Ask yourself: Are they the right fit? Are they positioned in roles where they can thrive? If not, make the changes necessary to set your business up for long-term success. Don’t be afraid to make tough calls—whether it’s letting go of disengaged staff or re-evaluating your customer base. Creating the right team is the foundation for a thriving, successful business.


If you would like to discuss how we can help align your team with your business values and culture, please contact us here!


Braden Light - Senior Growth Consultant

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