How to Put Together a Great Team for a Project in 2025
Having the right team is still the ultimate game-changer for any project. A great team drives your vision forward like a finely tuned engine. The wrong team? They’ll steer you off a cliff or crash you into an 18-wheeler while you’re stuck babysitting distractions in the backseat. In 2025, with AI and automation reshaping work, the stakes are higher—and so are the opportunities.
One hard truth I’ve learned: don’t hire people who openly admit they’re not “working kind of people.” The economy isn’t the problem—attitude, motivation, and energy are. Lazy, negative, or insecure folks exist everywhere, but your talent pool should be vast and diverse, especially now with remote work and AI tools expanding your reach globally. Don’t limit yourself to your backyard; look where the best people are, whether human or AI-powered assistants.
Before you hit the road with your project, map out exactly what you want to achieve. Then pack your team carefully—lightweight, high-performing, and aligned with your goals. Every extra pound of drama or distraction slows you down or risks a breakdown.
Here’s a brutally honest tip: it would be easier if you could tell your team to “treat me like a white boss.” Sounds harsh? Maybe. But there’s a reason bosses keep a professional distance. As Black entrepreneurs, we often try to be everything to everyone—doctor, therapist, friend, bank—which drains us and derails projects. Put your project first. Your sanity depends on it.
Hire the BEST People for the Job—Period
Your only obligation is to the project’s success from start to finish. Forget trying to save the world with one project; think piece by piece. Cast a wide net for talent—human, AI, or hybrid—and don’t settle. The project is PARAMOUNT.
Hire People Who Know MORE Than You
Stop trying to clone yourself. You’re not a one-person show, and your team shouldn’t be either. Bring in people who complement your skills and bring fresh perspectives. AI tools can fill gaps in data analysis, content creation, or automation, but you still need humans who innovate and think critically. Hiring duplicates is dumb and costly.
Hire Self-Starters Who Ask Smart Questions
Forget babysitting. Your team should be autonomous but smart enough to ask questions when stuck. I’ve made the mistake of hiring “self-starters” who made costly decisions without consulting me, relying on outdated experience. Set clear communication channels—email, text, call—and expect your team to use them wisely. Too much hand-holding kills productivity; too little kills quality.
Test Before You Commit
Before you hire, give candidates a small paid test relevant to your project. Whether it’s an editor, a coder, or an AI prompt engineer, this saves you time, money, and headaches. You want reliable, qualified people who can grow with your brand, not just pay their bills.
Beware Hiring Friends and Family
Hiring friends and family? That’s like running blindfolded across a freeway during rush hour. Sure, some say it works, but look at the countless sports stars and artists who lost everything by mixing business with personal ties. Friends and family come with baggage, expectations, and often a sense of entitlement. If they need money, give it to them—but don’t hire them. Your project deserves professionals who follow directions, not childhood grudges.
Cut Out the Naysayers and Negative Energy
Negative people are project killers. They suck the life out of your team and your vision like emotional vampires. One toxic person can cause an avalanche of problems, stress, and delays. They blame you for their failures and drain your energy. Fire them fast and don’t look back. Also, block out negative vibes from outside your project—family, friends, social media haters. Your focus is sacred.
Set Clear Terms from Day One
Be crystal clear about pay, expectations, deadlines, and communication protocols. Put it all in writing. In 2025, with gig workers and AI contractors, clarity is non-negotiable. Don’t be anyone’s bank or babysitter. If someone asks for early payment, offer a discount—but be ready for pushback. Remember, you pay when the job is done. Personal problems? If they bring those up in the interview, don’t hire them. Personal drama kills projects.
Never Repeat Hiring Mistakes
If someone doesn’t work out, don’t make the same mistake twice. Have a backup plan, test everyone early, and hold a team kickoff call to gauge who’s aggressive and who’s passive. You want go-getters who bring ideas, ask questions, and take charge. Running a business isn’t running a nursery school for adult babies—so act accordingly.
Bonus 2025 Tips: Leverage AI and Automation
In today’s creator economy, your team isn’t just people—it’s people plus AI tools. Use AI for data crunching, content drafts, social media scheduling, and even customer service bots. This frees your human team to focus on strategy, creativity, and relationship-building. But remember, AI is a tool, not a teammate. Hire humans who can manage AI effectively and bring emotional intelligence to the table.
Kevin "KevRoss" Ross is a music and radio industry expert. He is a 20 -plus year entrepreneur with the leading most successful industry trade publication and site Radio Facts (www.radiofacts.com). He has also published various books, magazines, performed marketing and promotions for major corporations and recording artists and he is on the advisory board of several industry organizations. This year Ross introduced his non profit organization LOMARI (Leaders of the Music and Recording Industry) to help teach young minority students how to market and manage their music and products.
