Why Surrounding Yourself with Stunning Colleagues Changes Everything You Achieve

When Reed Hastings and his core team at Netflix faced the crisis of the early 2000s dot-com bust, they made tough decisions—letting go of adequate performers and keeping only those who consistently created, collaborated, and went the extra mile. Initially, Reed feared morale would plummet; instead, energy soared. The remaining group tackled larger challenges with more passion and focus, even as overall headcount dropped. Conversations became more stimulating, and people learned exponentially from each other. High standards, rather than punitive pressure, created a positive, contagious environment; even everyday frustrations melted into purposeful problem-solving. Reed noticed productivity rising despite fewer hands, but the real breakthrough was the infectiousness of high performance. One person's mediocrity had previously dampened group IQ, driven top talent away, and signaled that “good enough” was acceptable. Study after study confirmed this: a single slacker, pessimist, or jerk could drag down an entire group, but the opposite was also true—surrounding yourself with excellence lifts everyone. Achieving a great workplace, Reed realized, wasn't about perks or fancy offices; it was about the thrill of working with others at the top of their game. This lesson—that performance, for better or worse, is profoundly infectious—became the first dot in Netflix’s culture of reinvention and a model for teams everywhere.

Picture yourself surrounded by classmates, teammates, or colleagues who ignite your drive and creativity every day. Start by looking honestly at your current group and recognizing who lifts you up and who subtly holds you back. Reach out and cultivate connections with those who push standards higher, offer direct feedback, and share your enthusiasm for doing things exceptionally well. Don’t dodge the harder conversations—when someone isn't a good fit, address it with clear, positive intent or seek out a setting where excellence is the norm. Over time, you’ll build a circle where everyone’s best effort is contagious, and outstanding results become the new normal. Try this in your current team or project and see what happens.