Leadership

Four Decisions Business Leaders Should Never Make Alone 
From Forbes.com

Running a successful company, is not a solo activity.  It takes building a team that can execute the delivery of the company's solutions.  However, for the business owner, it can still be lonely at the top.  There is a tendency for manyleaders to draw inward and make the important decisions by themselves.  However, the most promising companies actually seek advice from many sources before they make four types of decisions. 

1.  Hiring employees.  One of the company's most competitive resources is their employees.  The activity of hiring effective people is a critical activity that should not be done alone.  Where to find help: 

Other employees:  If the company has a good core team already built, ask them (and pay a bonus) to refer other people that may want to work at the company. People typically hang out with people like themselves and this also provides a better chance of this new employee fitting into the team.  Also make sure to include them in the interview and hiring decisions. 

The Internet:  The best reference checking is now online.  Google any new candidates.  Check all the popular social media sites to see the pictures and comments they post, and most importantly how they interact with others. 

Your Board of Advisors:  When hiring for a senior level position, it is appropriate to run your plans by your board. 

2.  Firing employees.  When the employee's goals match company goals, employees will stay, and prosper.  But when they deviate and become unbalanced, this is the time they should seek employment elsewhere.  A popular saying is that every leader needs to be "slow to hire and quick to fire".  Most leaders are...