We all want a great company with a great work environment where everyone gets along all the time, right? "Dream again," you might say, and I'd have to agree that no perfect work environment exists. But we can always swing the pendulum in that direction.

Today I'd like to look at hiring great employees that have the potential to make a great company, contribute to a great work environment, and work with their fellow employees.

First, hire based on attitude more than skill. Skills are trainable, attitudes are difficult to change. I'd rather train new employees with a can-do, want-to mindset than those who have all the skills in the world but come prepackaged with a spirit of negativity.

Second, look for people unlike yourself. Diversity of strengths and perspectives make for strong teams and strong companies. Most people hire those in their own image–often a costly mistake.

Third, don't just rely only on those glowing references. Listen more than talk during the interview process. Ask candidates about their greatest challenges and failures, how they wish to develop and grow at your company, and what they plan to contribute to the other employees.

Fourth, if possible, consider a test drive with new applicants. After a basic interview, have them work in your environment for several days before making a final decision. Feedback from the other employees should be seriously considered in the hiring process.

Fifth, hire those with great humor and good habits. The first one is fairly obvious from the outset and the second can be learned from references and the test drive. Humor is infectious in any work environment and an ethic of discipline will carry over into all aspects of one's work.

I'm sure there's much more that could be added to this list. Please let me know some additional tips for great hires that you've discovered and I'll consider sharing those with everyone in a future post.