Do You! by Russell Simmons

Author:Russell Simmons
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2015-08-17T04:00:00+00:00

PICK THE RIGHT TEAM

As I said, I’ve received a lot of accolades over the years for my ability to build brands like Def Jam, Phat Farm, Def Comedy, and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network. However, a closer look at my career reveals that every step of the way I’ve been surrounded by people who not only shared my vision for those brands but actually did the heavy lifting that made those brands a reality. That was certainly the case with Def Jam, where Rick Rubin deserves most of the credit for our initial success and people like Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles orchestrated our second wave of hits. It was also the case with Phat Farm, where Ruby Azrak helped me build that brand and Kimora Lee helped me focus it and then take the company to another level. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to create TV shows like Def Comedy Jam, Def Poetry Jam, and Run’s House without the knowledge and steady support of Stan Lathan. Just like how without the knowledge of Brian Grazer, one of the greatest producers of our times, I would have never been able to produce a film like The Nutty Professor. The same is true of the organizations I work with. As I’ve already mentioned, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network wouldn’t have existed without the vision and determination of the great civil rights activist Minister Ben Chavis. Similarly, if it weren’t for the hard work of Ellen Haddigan, Rush Philanthropic would be seen as just another vanity celebrity foundation. But under her guidance, it’s become an organization that truly impacts the lives of young people. For a final example, the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding only exists because of the passion and enthusiasm of Rabbi Marc Schneier. A lot of names, I know, but that’s exactly the point—when you work with the Right People, there’s a very wide breadth to what you can accomplish. Without exception, every one of my successes has been spearheaded by someone who’s not only interested in what I do but is more dedicated to that vision than I am. I might get the headlines, but the people around me are the heartbeat that moves me forward. Without them, I could never progress.

After twenty-plus years in the game, I know I can’t do it by myself. I know the survival of my companies depends not on my talents but on my ability to pick the Right People to support those talents. That’s why to this day I still personally interview all my prospective employees, from a vice president to an intern, even though I’m not that good at the process. I don’t always ask the appropriate questions and I’m probably not as focused as I should be. Still, I have an instinctual sense of what I’m looking for. The most important quality you can show me is a commitment to giving. The importance of giving will get its own chapter later in the book, but when it comes to employees, I’m looking for people who give by being good teammates.

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