One of the greatest responsibilities of leadership is building a strong team. Over the years, I’ve learned that the best way to do that is to hire people who are better than you in key areas—and then give them the authority to lead. Too often, leaders hire for comfort rather than capability, surrounding themselves with people who won’t challenge them. I’ve been there myself. Early in my career, I didn’t fully understand how to hire or when to step back. But I’ve come to realize that true progress happens when you bring in exceptional talent, trust them, and know when to get out of the way.
At the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, we’ve built a team of professionals whose expertise makes our organization stronger. While economic development is at our core, our success isn’t just about technical knowledge. It’s about people. We have leaders who excel at fostering relationships, executing events, driving marketing efforts, and more. Their skills and dedication push our organization forward in ways I never could on my own.
My job isn’t to have all the answers—it’s to ensure we have the right people in place and give them the space to excel. When leaders step back and empower their teams, incredible things happen. Innovation flourishes, momentum builds, and results follow. The best teams don’t just execute; they lead. And that’s what sets great organizations apart.
If you’re in a leadership role, ask yourself: are you hiring to elevate your organization, or to protect your own comfort zone? I don’t always love the feeling of being challenged, and I’ll admit, there are times when I still get in the way. But I love the team around me. They make me better, and I know every day, they’re working to make our communities stronger. Hire better than you, trust them to lead, and watch your organization thrive. That’s how we grow—not just as leaders, but as a community.
