My husband works as a certified contractor. While he has certifications and plent of experience with plumbing, electrical engineering and construction, his real calling is in heating, ventilation and air conditioning – especially the ventilation part. He can fix a forced-air centralized system using limited tools and his own skill, and still finish the job faster and more effectively than the most well-equipped team of less talented technicians. Despite his overwhelming skill, he does have a major flaw – he’s never hired anyone else. Yes, his “contracting firm” is really just him in an office! He insists on running everything. I’ve asked him multiple times why he refuses to hire any extra technicians, but he says he figures other technicians would not work to the same standards as him. Well duh! He can’t expect just anyone to be able to work with the same skill he’s developed over decades in the business. Still, a master of a martial art isn’t truly a master if he isn’t willing to teach other aspirants. Why should a trade skill be any different? It would not be difficult to take on one additional pupil. After much prodding, I convinced him to take on an apprentice when he scheduled an appointment to replace the furnace in this couple’s home. It was the perfect opportunity to begin building a team of employees, train his new worker, and improve the flexibility of his company. Once he went on the call to replace this furnace at the customer’s home, he texted me even before he was finished saying that he wished he listened to me sooner! He said his job was much easier, as the new worker he hired was genuinely good. They were able to not only replace the furnace at this house, but they even had time to cleanse the ductwork and check the gas lines for the furnace while they switched the equipment out. I told him at least one hundred times in the past to do this, and he has finally seen the light.