You notice him before he notices you. Good thing! Now you can duck out the closest door rather than spending the next half-hour listening to him complain about everything in the office.

Scammed again! She asked you for money to help pay the rent, but as you drove by McDonalds on the way home you see her car in the drive-through line-up. It looks like the whole soccer team is getting a happy meal… on your dime!

You joined the group hoping to gain workplace skills that would propel you forward in your career. After the second meeting you realize it’s a complete waste of time. You paid to hear the instructor but the only one who ever speaks is that know-it-all from another firm.

Sound familiar? It doesn’t take many encounters like that to get you thinking. Who needs people anyway?

It’s not that we don’t need people. It’s just that we need the right kind of people in our lives. If you are going to ignore people, make sure it’s the wrong kind of people.

What kind of people do you need in your life in order to become excellent? Who contributes to your success and who doesn’t? Do you have any criteria for the people who you allow to get closest to you?

How about these?

• People who are encouraging but honest
• Someone who will challenge you
• Friends who are interested in you
• Comrades who inspire you
• People who are committed to your success
• Someone to check up on you
• People who keep you accountable to your goals
• People who love you

Who would you add?

There is a catch!

As a general rule, the people that you attract are really a lot like you. In fact it is quite difficult to gather people around you who are substantially different in their goals and values.

Last week all of the members of our leadership team did a personality test for fun and to help us work together more effectively. Out of 10 people, there were 6 who had melancholy as their primary personality trait. Big deal you say.. but wait there’s more. I am the primary founder and recruiter of the team and guess what personality type I am… you guessed it: Melancholy!

Do you see any connection?

Let’s talk!