Right-smart folks did a study once on working conditions in the higher floors of skyscrapers. They sought to discover the “breaking point” of humans when working in structures that swayed in high winds due to their height. They found out that if a building moved more than three feet in any direction, it became too disturbing for workers. Without really noticing, people just felt “uncomfortable” or even sick — to the point of workers quitting their jobs or the company moving out. Moving building = no tenants = no rent = bad.

That research lead to new engineering methods.

So, what all-important point am I attempting to impress upon you? It doesn’t take a shaky building to slowly erode the psyche of employees. Not unlike the skyscraper, subconscious elements within your culture can shift folks into negative thought. We recently had an employee leave us – will call him Matt, because that’s his real name. Matt and his wife are young and kid-less and wanted to try their hand at Seattle before they were tied down with much responsibility. So, they upped and “runoft.”

I walked by his office today and realized the culmination of effect this will have on us. Matt’s talented, although not to “industry-changing” proportions (few in the world are). He’s smart, but not a “genius.” He’s nice, but carries with him a “dark side.” In other words, he’s a normal, nice, talented fella. So, why am I nervous about his absence?

I believe its tiny movements.

He made coming here more enjoyable, did really good work and was a consummate team player. His “normalcy” didn’t necessarily “blow the top off this mutha,” but, on a daily basis, it added up to something extraordinary. The idea of “everyday” is a powerful concept to consider when hiring staff. Just like the building moving a few feet ever so slowly, the culmination of movement destroys business.

An old boss of mine once told me how he would “turn a bad ad agency around” single-handedly. “It’s easy, I would just hire all the best people in town and we’d kick butt!” But, honestly, if I hired “all the best people in town,” I would be managing egos instead of our client’s brands. Another, wiser boss, told me, “Do good work and don’t be an asshole.” I would align myself with the wiser.

So, we seek to hire solid, talented, nice people and try to avoid those that are going to burn us out. For the formula of “Good people x 365 days = Greatness” rings true. Being there on a daily basis and doing the right thing is real heroism.