I found notes from a webinar on High Performance Firms hosted by Recourses. They are worth sharing as keys to creating a successful creative team. They are also great characteristics for life in general too.

Decision Maker

You are more likely to get in trouble by not making decisions than by making them. Timely decision-making is key.

Communicative

A leader must communicate where we are and where we are going. They should also celebrate the wins. I often ask my staff if they feel informed. It is important to culture that people know what is going on.

Disciplined

It is not great ideas that lead to success it is discipline. In the webinar he said if he could change one thing for his clients it would be to instill more discipline. Get things done!! Discipline = Success + Risk Taking. My saying is, “Ideas are easy. Execution is a bitch.”

Grateful

Be humble. There are not many steps from success and homelessness.

David Baker published an article with more details on high performing firms.

Hiring for culture is key. When interviewing you might ask is this person curious? Are they grateful? Are they interesting enough that you would want to take an eight hour car ride with them? Are they purposeful, self aware and confident?