Who You Surround Yourself With Matters

Who we surround ourselves with is part of our environment. If you look at people that hang around people that are heavy, fat or obese, they tend to be obese. Those that hang around people that are healthy, tend to be healthy. So can you imagine if you’re around people, who write tests, then do you test? If you’re around people who are focused on productivity, are you focused on productivity?

So what you surround yourself with and who you surround yourself with influences you greatly.

The Power of Positive Environment

The concept of environmental influence extends far beyond physical health. Your social circle shapes your mindset, habits, and even your aspirations. High-performing teams in tech companies often create an environment where excellence is the standard. When everyone around you is committed to writing clean code, implementing thorough testing, and shipping quality features, you naturally align with these practices.

Creating Intentional Connections

Building a growth-oriented environment doesn’t happen by accident. It requires making conscious choices about who we spend time with:

1. Seek out mentors and role models who embody the qualities you wish to develop
2. Join communities where learning and improvement are valued
3. Distance yourself from consistently negative or complacent influences
4. Be the positive influence others want to be around

Professional Application

In professional settings, this principle becomes even more powerful. Teams that surround themselves with people who value accountability, innovation, and continuous learning naturally elevate their performance. This doesn’t mean creating homogeneous groups—diversity of thought is essential—but rather ensuring shared core values around excellence and growth.

The next time you evaluate your professional or personal relationships, consider: Are these connections helping you become the person you want to be?

Further Reading

• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson
• The Power of the Other by Dr. Henry Cloud
• Tribe of Mentors by Timothy Ferriss
• Give and Take by Adam Grant