Stacked Teams That Still Fail
You know those sports teams that look stacked on paper? The ones where the budget is unbelievable, the stars aligned with picks and trades and contract negotiations? The ones where the expectations are high, the commentary is bloated, and the performance is—well—underwhelming?
That’s what we’re talking about here.
And inevitably, like any underdog-pull-at-the-heartstrings story, another team comes along that seems to have the odds stacked against them—and by some “magical miracle,” they pull off what feels impossible.
That mentality makes great headlines. But it can quietly kill your business (and your spirit).
What Makes a Team Win (and It’s Not What You Think)
We’ve dramatically undervalued what actually makes teams great: diversity, complementary skill sets, nuance, leadership energy, levels of ego, potential vs. performance, and, most importantly, the mystical, non-tangible dance of alignment and acceleration.
When you stop looking only at individuals and start looking at how people fit together, you create an environment where people become the best version of themselves. Thats when the magic happens.
Not Just in Sports, but in Life
You know that “perfect on paper” partner? The one who checks every box but leaves you feeling… nothing?
And then someone comes along who triggers your senses, makes you feel awake in a way you didn’t know was missing.
That’s what the right employee does, too.
We have to move beyond checklists into intuition.
We have to see both the tangible and the intangible.
And we have to stop settling for good.
We have to find right.
Why Hiring Is More Art Than Science
Once you build the fundamentals, you’ll realize business is more art than science.
Yes, you still need structure and standards, but unspoken energy is a place to get curious and lean in.
You know when things feel aligned and when they don’t.
And if you can’t feel that yet?
You’re not yet ready to hire.
How I Learned the Difference
I spent a decade hiring, training, and leading salespeople. Poorly at first, but eventually at a masterclass level.
One of the biggest lessons I learned:
No matter how many checkboxes I checked, success came down to:
- Their internal drive,
- Their environment, and
- My ability to align company resources with their natural strengths.
When I finally understood that, I stopped hiring “good” candidates, and started hiring the right ones for our system.
What You Must Know Before You Hire
You have to know your environment before you can know who fits into it.
You need a foundational list of behaviors, mindsets, and skills that are non-negotiable for your company. This is NOT based on trendy internet advice or generalized hiring “musts.”
Otherwise, you’ll waste time, money, energy, and stamina. And worse—you’ll lose the spark that made you build your business in the first place.
Common Misalignments That Kill Growth
- If you love coaching but hire someone resistant to feedback, you’re setting both of you up to fail.
- If you want a self-running business but hire someone who needs structure and daily direction, you’re suffocating your own freedom.
It’s not about whether someone is a good employee. It’s about whether they’re the right employee—for you, your system, and your future.
The Real Hiring Strategy
Forget one-size-fits-all advice and impressive resumes. For real. I promise.
Find your quirks. Find your strengths. Find your gaps.
Then hire the people who make your business breathe deeper, move faster, and shine brighter.
When energy and strategy align, hiring becomes a creative and fulfilling exercise.
It becomes the foundation of everything you want to build.
It’s Ready For You Now
I took care of the how, so you can focus on what you need. Hiring, Simplified is the proven framework and strategy you can use for your first hire or your fiftieth. And there’s no wrong time to start it.
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Lauren Michele Fields 
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