38 S a r a h H u g g i n s : M a r k B i n k s ; M a x M i t c h e ll: E v a a n K h e r aj
Sarah Huggins
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER,
HIIVE
Years ago, when I was much
earlier in my career, a trusted
mentor and very successful
leader told me this. I took it
to heart when I set out on
my entrepreneurial journey
years later. Today, it guides my
hiring philosophy and informs
the advice I give to other hiring
managers in our organization.
Smart and capable people don't
suck up opportunity or take it
from others; they create more
of it to go around. The best
leaders surround themselves
with the very best people and
create the conditions to help
them thrive.
"DON'T BE AFRAID TO
HIRE PEOPLE WHO ARE
SMARTER OR HAVE MORE
POTENTIAL THAN YOU."
Max Mitchell
FOUNDER, BOOM! PRO WRESTLING
That means making sure people feel physically safe
(in the ring or otherwise), respected and treated fairly.
People need to know they won't be pushed into risky
situations or ignored when they speak up. When that's
in place, they work harder, get bolder and invest more.
When we started
Boom, I was step-
ping into a pre-
existing commu-
nity as an outsider.
Prioritizing phys-
ical safety helped
show I wasn't there
to grind them to
dust—I was there
to build something
with them.
While we had a
few rough moments
early on, choosing
to forgive, reset
and support peo-
ple through their
messier moments
showed that we
m e a n t i t wh e n
we said we cared
about the whole
person—not just the
performer.
"BUILD TRUST BY PUTTING SAFETY FIRST."
B E S T L E A D E R S H I P A D V I C E
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