Can I play a trick on your husband?

The team was in our weekly wine down where we get together over cocktails celebrating a great week.

A team member’s husband was going to visit her.

Carrie ran to the front door, "how can I help you?"

"I'm here to see Sophia."

Carrie, "hmm, that doesn't sound familiar." Her husband clarified she's new and just started.

"Oh, yes, Sophia. She's in the back of the building. Just go to the warehouse door."

 He agreed and began to walk to the back of the building.


As he walked, the team could see him through our Sky Lounge (where we have our wine down) windows.

Carrie ran across the office and to the back door. 

He knocked. 

She opened it.

"Hi, how can I help you?"

He was shocked and confused all at once. 



Here are a few lessons I've learned over the years to have a great office atmosphere.

Don't take life so seriously.

People get so serious. Life is multi-dimensional. You have one life. Everything runs together. There's no work/life. It's life.

The question is, how can you live a great life, not just at home and with your friends, but in the office, everywhere?

To be able to laugh, smile, joke, and have a good time no matter where you are.

If you can't, I'm sorry.

We would probably hate working together.

You can have fun and drive results.

Culture over experience.

It's essential to hire based on a cultural fit first. I've screwed up here so many times.

I've learned. I'm continuing to learn. I'll always be learning.

People can be great at what they do but create a nightmare over time.

You don't need to hire people with the same personalities or strengths.

That would create a biased, stagnant operation, but thoroughly examining them for a cultural fit is critical.

If you talk shit, you eat shit.

One of my life rules is shit in equals shit out.

In the past, I've had people who gossiped, talked shit about others and then was fake to people’s face. They pinned people against others. They were narcissistic.

Eventually, if you talk shit, you're going to eat shit.

Shit doesn't taste good.

It might not come today, tomorrow, or even a year from now. But shit talkers will eat shit eventually so avoid them at all costs in the office.

Results and accountability matter, but not at the expense of the team culture.

Everyone must have a singular number they own. It's what drives results and keeps everyone focused on the purpose and mission.

It's how team members keep themselves accountable.

It's a great start.

If someone is crushing their numbers but is toxic to the team, FIRE THEM.

Don't let them be quiet, don't let them stay, fire them.

Immediately.

I've messed this up numerous times.

To fix it, I made a promise to the team. I'll continue to be aggressive, protecting our culture.

This is one of my number one priorities.

A new sales hire lasted two days as she showed signs of toxic behavior we would never be able to correct.

If you spend a lot of time in the office or with your team (even virtually), you owe it to the team and yourself to have an amazing atmosphere…otherwise, what's the point.