The Law of the Inner Circle: A leader’s potential is determined by those closest to him. It’s lonely at the top, so you’d better take someone with you. Hire the best staff you can find, develop them as much as you can, and hand off everything you possibly can to them.

I would have to suggest, after years of leadership experience, look before you leap into this situation. You must choose wisely. Never rush into developing relationships that may become toxic. When you develop your inner circle, take time to gradually assess a candidate’s honor, ethics, attitude, and personality. When you get to experience a person over an elongated period of time, it allows for a more in depth dissection and analysis. You will expose flaws. You will find imperfections. Understanding this composition will provide you with better perspective, better insight, and ideally, a better end result that is based upon intelligent design and not impulse. There are so many deceptive factors such as hormones, stress, fear, levity, and even manipulation influencing our choices. If we can step back for a longer period of time and see firsthand the true colors of those who would be potential candidates for our inner circle, we reap the rewards long term.

“You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things.” – Mother Teresa.

“If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.” – Proverbs.