How your friends affect your profit

People judge you by the company you keep. It is a harsh truth, but in business, your circle is your ceiling.

The most successful directors I know always have at least one person in their inner circle who is slightly ahead of them, someone who forces them to raise their game just by being in the same room. If you surround yourself with chickens, do not be surprised when the rest of the world calls you a chicken, too.

Take a look at the five people you spend the most time with. If you had to describe them to a stranger, what would you say? Are they pushing you to be the fox, or are they keeping you comfortable in the farmyard? You cannot fly with eagles if you are too busy scratching around with birds that are afraid of the heights.