If you hire C-level people, please don’t be surprised if you have a D-level company. You can’t have A-level company with C-level performers. If you truly want an iconic business, one that stands the test of the generations, one where you build what I call a globally cherished brand, then you absolutely must make it your dominant obsession to hire and manage and retain and engage only A-level performers. The number one way to keep an A-performer is not money. According to the research, money is usually six or seven. One of the top things that people want right now, they want a place where they feel a sense of belonging, but they also want a workplace that challenges them. So be all about developing them. Grow them. Be like the coach of the Lakers or the coach of a great sports team. Coach them, develop them, challenge them, encourage them to grow. They might not always love it, they will appreciate you for it.
