I’m not an Alabama or LSU fan (in fact, you know where my loyalty lies 🐊), but I have to admit, Nick Saban knows how to build a team.
In one of his more well-known speeches, Saban shares something that stuck with me. He said that when NFL scouts call him about players they’re considering drafting, they don’t ask how fast they are or how well they tackle. They’ve already seen the game film.
What they ask is:
- What kind of teammate is he?
- Is he coachable?
- Does he take responsibility?
- Can we trust him to represent our organization the right way?
They’re not just evaluating performance. They’re evaluating character.
And honestly, that resonated with me more than most business books ever have.
When it comes to building our team at The Master’s, we’ve learned the same thing. We’re not just hiring for what someone has done. We’re hiring for who they are.
In landscaping and pest control, we’ve found that the best team members don't typically come from simply having the most industry experience.
They’re the ones who show up with the right mindset and values.
One of the best frameworks I’ve found for this comes from the book The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni. He describes three key traits to look for in team members: humble, hungry, and people smart. We’ve adopted this framework because it works.
Here’s what those traits mean to us:
- Humble – People who are coachable and not know-it-alls. They ask questions. They admit mistakes. They don’t think they’ve arrived, but they’re willing to work to get there.
- Hungry – Naturally driven. They don’t coast. They look for ways to improve, take ownership of their success, and want to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
- People Smart – They know how to be good teammates. They listen well. They communicate clearly. They take ownership instead of pointing fingers.
These three traits: humble, hungry, and people smart have proven time and time again to be more valuable than any resume line.
Skills can be taught. But grit, attitude, and integrity come from within.
That’s why we hire based on character over credentials.
And if you're a client reading this, you might wonder- why does all this matter to you? Because the quality of your experience depends on the team members who show up to do the work. When we hire for character, you're not just getting someone who knows how to trim a hedge or spray for pests. You're getting someone who respects your time, your property, takes pride in the details, communicates clearly, and wants to go above and beyond.
That's the kind of team we’re building—because that’s the kind of service you deserve.
Rusty is the Founder and Visionary of The Master’s Lawn & Pest. He’s passionate about faith, family, leadership, and helping people grow—both in the landscape and in life.