Yesterday, I wrote about the first step to being your own boss, gaining experience. Working for oneself is a dream many people in this country have, and here is the second step for reaching that goal, according to MSN.

Step 2: Build A Winning Team

The article says that you should find people whose skills complement yours — in otherwords, they fill in the gaps in your own skills and experience.

Bring on people who complement your skills and fill in the gaps. Mary Beth Metrey had always dreamed of opening a boutique, but her short stint in retail didn’t provide all of the details of running a shop. But Heather White, her hometown friend, had studied fashion design and merchandizing. Naturally, Metrey asked White to be her business partner when she opened her charming new shop…

I’ll add the following thought. Try to find people who are as passionate as you about your idea and your particular business niche. You should also surround yourself with people who are smarter than you are. If you’re the smartest person in the group, you may not get any fresh ideas to allow you to grow. Your success might be more secure if you have the ability to learn as much as you can from others.

Don’t be afraid to work with people who will disagree with you. Conflict is a good thing, but it’s important to manage it wisely. That doesn’t mean avoiding it and ceding your position to another. Here are some thoughts on getting the most out of conflict, from The Joy of Conflict, published in Inc. Magazine:

Is it considered a “good meeting” when everyone agrees? That’s the worst. I’ve been in dozens of “good meetings” at which the important issues weren’t challenged–until after the meeting officially ended.

If you’re starting a business venture, bring in people who are committed to your vision, smart, and willing to speak up even if they disagree with you.

This is Part 2 of a series. Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6

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Flexo, the owner and creator of Consumerism Commentary, has been blogging and writing for the internet since 1995 and has been building online communities since 1991. Find out more about him and follow him on Twitter.

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