Author: cbarney.45

“The best partnerships have a shared vision, shared values, and complimentary skill sets.” Paraphrased from Charles Koch

This is true of businesses, but it is also true of marriages and relationships. Find others who believe in the same things as you, who have the same moral compass as you, and who can help to get you to where you want to be by completing your other (lacking) half. It will be mutually beneficial for both parties to partner up and achieve their goals quicker than by going at it alone. 

This is not to say that you cannot succeed any other way. But you will be most satisfied if you meet the three requirements listed above.

If you don’t have a shared vision, one person may want to take the company/relationship one direction and you in the opposite. This will cause much stress to be placed on the partnership.

If you have the same shared vision, but different values, it can also put you in a quandary. For example, your partner may be willing to get to that shared vision by any means necessary, while you draw the line in the sand with how you feel the company/family/partnership should operate. If your other half is doing questionable things, and is unwilling to change their ways, the partnership is doomed.

Lastly, it is best if you have complimentary skill sets. While the first two items listed should be shared/similar, your skill sets should be different. One person could be the financial guru and the other person be the visionary, driving the partnership to new levels. One person can be the creative type (coming up with hundreds of great ideas) while the other is “the doer” (someone who puts a plan into action and makes sure those ideas become more than mere words). It is best if you and your partner find fulfillment in your own roles.

Integrity. Intelligence. Work ethic…if we’re hiring, these are the things that I look for in a potential new hire. 

They have to be a man/woman of high character, not just with their words, but with their actions. 

The need to possess a certain level of intelligence. They do not need to know everything and they don’t even need to have specific knowledge about the field that they are going into (although that helps). They should be able to find answers on their own and be curious enough to seek them out. 

Lastly, they need to have a good work ethic. Hard work should be their default mentality. You shouldn’t need to provide them with an incentive to go “above and beyond.” That should be in their nature. 

“Just do it.” – Nike slogan

When in doubt, just do it. I would rather try something new, with an open mind, and find out that I don’t like it as opposed to not experiencing new things. At worst (in most cases), you can give an honest opinion if someone asks you about a subject or an event (like going skydiving). At best, you can find a new hobby or passion that you never would have known about if you hadn’t tried it. 

Why live your life in fear (of getting hurt, of “failing,”, of wasting time, etc.)? Go enjoy new experiences!

Tip: Try doing whatever it is (as long as it’s not harmful to your health) with your partner, a friend, or in a group (where you can make new friends). It will probably be more enjoyable. 

Zig when everyone else is zagging. If you really want to get ahead in life, you have to do things that others can’t or aren’t willing to do. Don’t “follow the herd.” Think of the stock market…when everyone is selling, it drives prices down. Don’t join in with the masses and sell low. Now is the time to buy more! Buy when everyone else is selling and get a deal. Sell when everyone else is buying and make a killing. Be different. Zig when others zag. 

Do not be afraid to be different. Embrace it.

Smart is not something that you are or are not, it is something that you can become. Nobody is born smart. You may be able to pick up on certain concepts more quickly, be able to do complex math in your head, or have a great memory, but most of the time, just like anything else in life worth having, you have to work to improve on your God-given abilities. 

Do not think of yourself or others as smart or dumb. And especially do not think that whatever they are now is what they will always be. People are learning everyday through experience, whether they intentionally do it or not. In addition to learning by doing, you can accelerate your learning by reading, listening, and talking with others who have already taken the path that you’re interested in pursuing.

What are you doing, reading, or listening to today to help you grow into the person who you want to become?