Pick your nose and your team
Your team isn’t your family. You have the ability to choose who's on it and which one you play for.
“You can pick your nose. You can pick your friend’s nose. But you can’t pick your family.”
Now, I don’t know what type of friends you have, but I cannot pick my friend’s nose.
And while I cannot pick my family, I think family and noses have a lot in common.
Sometimes, your nose does exactly what it’s supposed to do. Sometimes, you can’t breathe. Sometimes, your nose gets burned. And sometimes, things get messy and it runs all over the place.
Even if you choose not to spend time with your family, they're still your family, hanging around like the snot in your nose as a fundamental part of your life.
Your team doesn’t work the same way.
While a good team has your back and can help you grow, they aren’t your family — most importantly because you can pick them.
Leaders can choose whom they bring onto the team. They can also choose who to let go.
Individuals can choose the teams they chase. They can also choose to walk away.
When we see teams as a series of choices, we can think about how to build them differently.
Leaders can pick people who complement each other. No need to walk on eggshells because you don’t want to upset cousin Nicky at Thanksgiving dinner.
Leaders can pick people who will thrive within the bumper guards of their company’s values. Say goodbye to on time people putting up with late people.
Leaders can search far and wide for the highest caliber people to bring onto their team. You don’t have to resign yourself to sailing through the trees with people truly horrible at ziplining.
Now remember, individuals can also choose which team to pursue — even if you choose them, they can say, “No, thank you.”
Individuals seek out a team for a myriad of reasons based on what they value. Some may seek a position that will allow them to develop new skills. Some may value flexibility above other benefits. And others may want a role precisely because your values align with theirs.
Whatever mosaic of value they look through, almost everyone will seek viable financial compensation for the time they invest as part of your team. It’s the first way you say you value them, and it’s something most of us need to live a good life.
I don’t want to suggest that you can wholly avoid dealing with conflict or that who you seek and who seeks you will always line up; all work involving people also involves friction.
But your team isn't a family. You have the ability to choose who's on it and which one you play for.
Pick well.
.
.