In their heyday, the Spartans were the most formidable military force in the civilised world.

Their battle form was to have a short sword in the right hand and a small shield in the left hand, and to stand side-by-side facing the enemy.

If the man to your left fell, your left-hand side was made vulnerable, hence the tenet: “You are only as strong as the soldier on your left.”

This belief resulted in zero-tolerance for weak links.

Every soldier (man and woman) must be the best of the best if the battle group is to be the best.

The same philosophy applies to startups.

If you want to win, you cannot have any weak links.

You are only as strong as the soldier on your left.