You're only as good as the people you hire.

Hear, O children of labor and legacy, the words of Ray Kroc, the builder of empires, who declared: “You’re only as good as the people you hire.” This saying, though born in the realm of business, speaks with the weight of eternal truth. For no leader, no king, no commander, no builder, can rise higher than the strength of those who walk beside him. Leadership is not the solitary glory of one, but the collective effort of many, and the worth of the leader is bound to the worth of his companions.

What does it mean that you are “only as good as the people you hire”? It is to confess that no vision, no ambition, no brilliance of mind can be fulfilled by the leader alone. The architect may design, but the builders must raise the walls. The general may plan, but the soldiers must fight. The king may decree, but the ministers must govern. The leader’s greatness lies not only in his ideas but in his ability to choose, nurture, and empower others. A poor team makes even the strongest leader falter; a strong team lifts even an ordinary leader to greatness.

Consider the tale of Alexander the Great. His victories were not the work of his sword alone, but of the companions he chose—the generals, engineers, and scholars who carried his vision to the ends of the earth. He surrounded himself with men of skill and loyalty, and through them, he conquered kingdoms. Yet when he died, and his circle of trusted men fell to rivalry, the empire fractured. Here lies Kroc’s wisdom: a leader’s strength is measured not in isolation, but in the quality of those he draws around him.

So too in the modern age did Ray Kroc himself embody this truth. He did not invent the hamburger, nor even the small restaurant he first encountered. But he saw potential, and he built an empire by surrounding himself with managers, workers, and franchise owners who shared his discipline and vision. The success of McDonald’s was not his dream alone—it was the combined work of countless individuals, each carrying a piece of the burden. Without them, his vision would have been nothing more than a fleeting ambition.

The meaning of this wisdom runs deeper still: those you choose to walk with will shape not only your achievements but your very character. Surround yourself with the lazy, and your work will wither. Surround yourself with the cunning, and your path may twist into corruption. But surround yourself with the diligent, the loyal, the inspired, and your name may endure for generations. Thus, the act of hiring, or of choosing companions in any endeavor, is among the most sacred duties of a leader.

The lesson for you, O listeners, is this: never imagine that greatness is a solitary crown. If you would achieve anything of lasting worth, choose your people wisely. Look not only at skill, but at character; not only at talent, but at loyalty. A single wise hire can multiply your strength, but a single careless hire can poison your foundation.

Therefore, let your practice be this: when you build—be it a business, a family, a community, or a dream—attend with great care to those who build with you. Seek those whose virtues complement your own, who share your vision, who labor with heart as well as hand. For as Ray Kroc has declared, “You’re only as good as the people you hire.” Remember this always: in the measure of your people lies the measure of your destiny.