It may seem obvious, but to build a great team, you must create a special place to work. Much has been written on this subject; one of my favorites is “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us,” written by Daniel Pink. I’ve written about his work several times, including in this Food For Thought article. In addition, Marcus Buckingham, in “First, Break All The Rules,” provides a very practical list.

In summary, when you’re building your Dream Team, have a plan that includes what team members you want and where you can find them; have a rigorous interviewing process; offer internships and apprenticeships; formalize mentors; provide clear, actionable feedback; offer advancement opportunities; constantly re-recruit your team; and create a special place where people want to work.

p.s. I believe “celebrating successes” and healthy humor are important, too, and I may discuss those subjects in a future blog.