Darren Herman

There have been plenty of posts about hiring and building the right teams but I wanted to dive a bit deeper into a certain position:  Your #2.  This position is for everyone:  no matter high up or low down on the corporate totem pole you are, you have a #2 in some capacity.

I will be bold and say it, but I don’t believe you can be consistently solid without a dependable #2.  As many of you know me, I usually introduce my #2 as my “sidekick,” “my right hand,” or “my lifeline.”  That’s how I feel about them – and I used the word “them” as I oversee multiple business units with different #2s.

A #2 is someone who you can rely on to consistently deliver at or above your (and the market’s) expectation level and can fill in for times you might not be available.

Finding the right #2 for you only is doable when you understand yourself.  If you are a right brain person, then a #2 should be a left brain person and vice versa.  If you are theoretical, then find someone practical.  If you are a thinker, then find a doer.  One of the only characteristics is consistent across all #2’s is the word reliable and that comes from trust.   A solid #2 will ultimately become a #1 in due time and that person should be as reliable as they come.

Since early 2011, when we launched kbs+p Ventures, I’ve been spending an increasing amount of time getting pitched by entrepreneurs.  While many venture capitalists are looking for a solid team, I’m looking specifically for a #2 for the CEO.  The #2 is as important as any revenue or product, as the #1 cannot be everywhere at all times and the #2 needs to be able to steer the ship and get everything done that #1 needs.

While some companies in our portfolio may have a great #1 & #2 setup, some don’t.  Our portfolio companies have been asking us to help them find that #2 person.  I think real growth with these companies will happen when #2 arrives.  You can bet that we’re helping them find a #2.

I started off the post by saying that a #2 can be at all levels, though the middle part of this post has all about being the #2 to the #1 person in the company.

A media strategist should have a great #2 in an associate media strategist.  An account executive should have a great #2 in an account coordinator.  A business development director should have a great #2 in a business development manager.  The list goes on and hopefully you understand what I’m getting at.

I can’t stress how important this is.  It’s not easy to find your #2, but when you do, you’ll know.  Maybe someone internally grows into the #2 position.  Maybe you have to go outside your company to hire them.  Hopefully, as a good manager and boss, you’ll groom your #2 into a #1; that’s one of the best feelings in the world.