The Importance of Choosing the Right People

On Thursday morning, I spent quite a bit of time with a nice gentleman who has been tremendously successful over the years as an organizational builder in our industry. In the last few years, as a result of some poor decisions, his circumstances have deteriorated and he is forced to start over again. This situation is made more difficult by the fact that he is at an age where most would give up, but he is determined to rebuild again, and he believes, as I do, that HBW provides him with the best platform in the industry to finally accomplish all the dreams and goals he aspired to when he entered this industry.

The key element for his present circumstance, we both agreed, were his less than stellar decisions about whom he chose to be in business with each time he joined a new enterprise. What is so fascinating and frustrating about this pattern continuing with most people is that most of us actually know better than this. As kids, our parents would warn us to “stay away” from certain kids. As parents, we are so concerned about who our children play with. Yet as adults, we so often seem to jump into relationships and business associations with nary a thought as to how this will impact us down the road.

Particularly in a business like ours, where we are recruiting and leading other people, the people you choose to be in business with, the business model, the structure, the company is absolutely critical. If you are building a business, the most frustrating thing would be to have to start over. Yet this is an absolute inevitability if you are not thoughtful on the front end of any relationship or venture you may consider.

We built HBW as a company that would be a vehicle where there would be great stability and possibilities of long-term prosperity. Many competitors have come and gone, changed their names, changed their management style, changed products or relationships. In our 19th year as HBW, I think it will be difficult to find an organization like ours anywhere; the same name, management, core companies and carriers, philosophies, principles and track record over these last 19 years, a wonderful success story. Nevertheless, this most important lesson always seems to have to be learned the hard way. Whom you choose to be in business with and associate with is something that, as critical as it is, is so often ignored.

At HBW, we are almost manic about this issue and are attempting to always work with the right people and be the right people. Making the best possible decision on the front-end, while not a guarantee, gives you the very best possibility for success. And, as Raymond Berry always says,”I rather learn from other people’s mistakes than have to make them all myself!”