By Shay Hughes

Since the beginning of our story at Hughes Marino, we have met more wonderful people than we can count. From our incredible teammates to our innovative clients, to so many businesses and thought leaders we have built relationships with over the years–we are forever grateful for their impact on our lives and our company. One person who has been with us since the very beginning is our business coach, Mike Robbins. Mike has played an integral role in helping us transform our company culture into what it has become today, and we are honored and humbled to be included in his latest book, We’re All In This Together.

“One of the things that Jason, Shay, and their team do as well as almost any company I’ve ever worked with is that they challenge each other to be the absolute best they can be. And they do it with a foundation of genuine care for one another. They balance having an incredibly high standard of excellence while also making sure everyone is nurtured and supported.” – Mike Robbins, We’re All In This Together

Mike is a world-renowned business coach, whose impressive client list includes Google, Microsoft, Wells Fargo, eBay and countless other global companies, as well as some of the most victorious professional sports teams in the nation. He has authored five books on culture, authenticity, appreciation and team building, and anyone who has the opportunity to hear him speak walks away truly inspired and ready to take on any challenge that comes their way.

Mike’s latest book highlights how great teams thrive when they focus on creating a culture of high-performance, trust and belonging. He details how focusing on four pillars of 1) creating psychological safety, 2) focusing on inclusion and belonging, 3) embracing “sweaty-palmed” conversations and 4) a drive to care and challenge each other are all key ingredients to creating an authentic culture. Another aspect he focuses on is nurturing an environment of empathy and compassion. I love all of these concepts, and with Mike’s guidance and our major focus on an authentic culture at Hughes Marino, it has paid off in countless ways.

“We often think that in order to have a high bar and push each other we can’t also be caring. Or we think that if we care about and nurture one another, we can’t also expect a lot from our teammates. Actually, the goal for us as team members, leaders, and teams as a whole is to be able do both at the same time. It’s not one of these things at the expense of the other, it’s being able to do them simultaneously and passionately.

Creating an environment that supports both caring about and challenging each other takes courage on everyone’s part, and at times goes against conventional wisdom. But being willing to focus on both of these things, and encouraging others to do the same, creates the conditions for everyone to succeed at the highest level. The healthy combination of caring about and challenging each other is the secret sauce of high-performing teams.”

The timing of his book, it’s incredible message, and its title–We’re All In This Together–couldn’t be more applicable to what we are all experiencing right now. During this unprecedented time with so much uncertainty, what is certain is the kindness, care, love and support we can show within our families and our teams. I truly believe we will carry this message with us when this era passes and we return to a new normal. Mike’s message of positivity and kindness is extremely uplifting and exactly the kind of thinking we all need to hear a little more of right now.

“The great thing about both kindness and compassion is that they’re contagious. The more willing we are to be compassionate and kind to our fellow team members, the more likely they are to be that way with us and everyone else on the team. And, as we consistently and deliberately practice compassion and kindness with the people on our team, we demonstrate our care for them and contribute to a culture that can allow us all to achieve our best results.”

Since that first meeting when Jason and I contacted Mike to speak to our team about how to build an award-winning culture, we knew he would be an incredible asset, and we are even more grateful now for his influence and leadership than ever before. Congratulations to Mike for writing yet another incredibly inspiring book that we all can enjoy reading this year. We truly are all in this together!