People First: The Faces Behind Success
BY LEAH DEAN, ADVISOR, 2xAUTHOR, SPEAK, COACH.
The secret sauce to any successful business is its people. Bar none, if you go listen to any panel of CEOs, they will, no doubt, say, “I am only as strong as the team behind me.” And whether you’re building a start-up from scratch, growing a rising brand, or scaling into new markets, the truth remains the same: people are the heartbeat of every thriving organization.
The Power of People + Purpose
When you understand the importance of people in your business, everything shifts. You stop hiring for tasks and start hiring for talent, alignment, and values. You stop filling seats and start building a culture. And you stop reacting to problems and start designing a team capable of delivering your mission.
This is exactly why I appreciate the PinkGenius CORE Program — it's all about connecting people and strategy in ways that fuel long-term success. Here are a few of the strategies covered in the program:
But “people-first” isn’t just a feel-good phrase. It’s a strategy—and one that demands clarity, intention, and a genuine commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. A strong business doesn’t just include diverse voices—it seeks them.
Prioritizing DEI means:
- Hiring across backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences
- Building equitable processes that give every candidate a fair shot
- Creating an inclusive culture where every voice matters
Diverse teams innovate faster, think bigger, and solve problems more creatively. They reflect the world you serve—and your customers feel that.
Hiring the Right People, for the Right Roles
Before you hire, you must identify your hiring needs clearly. What roles are essential? What skills must be brought in from the outside? What qualities align with your mission, values, and company culture?
To do this well, you need a business strategy and, to some degree, structure, so every team member knows where they belong and how their contributions impact the whole.
And remember—there are different types of hiring:
- Full-time employees
- Part-time staff
- Contractors
- Interns
- Freelancers
- Project-based specialists
Ask Better Questions → Hire Better People
Your interview questions should reflect your values, mission, and expectations. An effective interview process helps you:
- Reveal candidates’ true strengths
- Assess cultural fit, experience and expertise
- Understand how they solve problems
- Identify potential gaps early
Onboarding: Where Culture Begins
Once you hire the right person, the real magic begins. An effective onboarding process ensures your team members feel welcomed, supported, and confident in their role.
So REMEMBER, People Are Your Advantage
Businesses don’t grow because of products or profits. They grow because of the people who show up every day with heart, imagination, and grit.
When you hire intentionally, embrace DEI, ask the right questions, build a strong structure, and onboard with care, you don’t just create a workforce—you create a community.
